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Sybil Johnson, the last survivor of the original Kamstra siblings passed away October 5, 2017 at the age of 98. Born in Holland April 18, 1919 Sybil and her family arrived in Canada in 1925. After initial stops in Southern Ontario the family moved to Port Arthur with the hope of establishing a new dairy farm. Suitable land was purchased in South Gillies and the original dairy farm grew into Mountainview Farms which came to also support a thriving poultry business as well as sheep raising and the breeding of prized Holstein cattle.

After attending a single room elementary school in South Gillies, Sybil left home at the age of 12 to enroll in Fort William Collegiate. Following graduation she entered St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1940. She worked as a nurse until 1942 when she commenced a lifetime of service with the Children's Aid Society of Port Arthur (later Thunder Bay CAS). Working in a variety of capacities she eventually retired as a Supervisor in 1984. Notwithstanding retirement, Sybil remained dedicated to helping children and continued as a CAS Board/Foundation member for another 12 years. In earlier years she was also a Director of the YMCA and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

Sybil lived independently until 2015 when she moved into Jasper Place.

Sybil was predeceased by her parents A.J. and Neiltje Kamstra, brothers Jack, Cecil and Klaus and sisters Hilda Green, Greta James, Tine Parker and Anna Sidey. She was predeceased by her husband Ed and a very dear and close friend Micheal Morrison.

Sybil Johnson is survived by her son Dennis (Louisa), cherished nieces and nephews, close friends Anne Ciemny, Jennifer Portelance and Nancy Phillips-Smart, together with the Morrison grandchildren, Sandy Jung, Mandy Fricot, Marcy Cooper, Barb Francey and Micheal and Jamie Wood who always treated Sybil as a grandmother.

Sincere thanks to Dr. David Probizanski for his years of caring and concern, Dr. Zaib, Amy Purton and the nurses of 2C at TBRHSC, the Parker girls, the Morrison grandchildren, Anne and Nancy and the staff of Jasper Place.

Funeral Services for Sybil Johnson will be held at Sargent and Son Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court Street on Tuesday, October 10 at 11:00am. Private internment will follow. In lieu of flowers donations in Sybil's memory may be made to Children's Aid Foundation of the District of Thunder Bay, or to the charity of your choice.




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