Natalie Jane Johnson

Natalie Johnson was born in Vancouver on June 21, 1952 and died in Qualicum Beach on May 30, 2023. She is survived by her husband, Barry Ferguson, and their four children, Alexandra (husband Thomas and their son Dekker) in Vancouver, Elizabeth (husband Sean and children Connor and Austin) in Beausejour, Mb., Robert (wife Justine) in Winnipeg and Thomas in Edmonton. Natalie was the only child of Curtis G. and Alice M. Johnson.

Natalie grew up in North Vancouver, loved the West Coast and was delighted to return after decades away. She was an award-winning student in high school and throughout her university studies in history at UBC, where she earned her honours BA and at Toronto, where she received an MA in Medieval Studies. With her husband and in pursuit of her own studies, she lived in Toronto, London, Edmonton, Calgary and, for many years, Winnipeg. Natalie had a superb scholarly mind, devoted to medieval Europe and Britain, and read widely in history. She was an avid reader of literature, including the traditional canon and contemporary writing ranging from mysteries and true-crime to world women’s fiction. She taught History part-time for many years and then moved into an administrative role in the Humanities Institute at the University of Manitoba. She also enjoyed working as an editorial reader with a number of scholars. 

Natalie was active in her community as a volunteer and in her enjoyment of walking and exercise classes, and friendships. She particularly enjoyed good conversations and correspondence with her dearest friends. She was attuned to public affairs, especially by listening to Radio-Canada’s news, and by patiently guiding her husband’s opinions. She kept her household shipshape in every way. Natalie was most devoted to her family, raising their four children, supporting and sometimes fretting over them, celebrating their educational and professional attainments and taking even greater pride in the facets of their character. She doted on and enjoyed the antics of her three young grandsons. She was a vivacious and wonderful person. Memories of her will live on with her family and friends.

No service is planned at this time, but a memorial service will be held later in the year. She would have appreciated donations to local food charities or nature conservancies, causes she supported.