Sarah Jane “Sally” Johnson
1949-2020
You can view Sally’s funeral live via the
following link:
youtu.be/cBiD0VoOfaI
Sarah (Sally)
Johnson
The loss can be described only by the strength of her
presence in our lives:
The proud mother, grandmother, and
great-grandmother.
The caring compassionate
wife.
The cousin and aunt who arrived to
visit.
The sister you could count
on.
The relentless fighter for health programs for
Indigenous peoples.
The best friend in good times and
bad.
The speaker of the truth no matter the
audience.
The best person to share a funny story
with.
The speaker of the Mi’kmaq language and
the teller of old stories.
The lover of new shiny
cars.
The voice of fairness in the
meeting.
The constant traveller by car and
plane.
The name known in L’nu regions across the
country.
The one who says what most others were thinking but
dare not say.
The gambler, the Queen of Hearts, Sally
Johnson.
Sarah (Sally) Johnson passed away peacefully at home in Howie
Centre, Cape Breton, on August 8, 2020. Sally was born at
St. Rita’s Hospital, Sydney, NS on October 30, 1949 to the
late Roderick T. Johnson and Mary Margaret Joe of Eskasoni First
Nation.
Sally is survived by children; Tanya Francis (Patrick),
Terena Francis, and Tma Francis all of Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw
Nation; and Lisa Paul of Millbrook First Nation; grandchildren,
Caitlin, Brendan, Aaron, Antle, Andre, Sierra, Logan, Dexter, Chad,
Eric, Daisy, and Sydney; great grandchildren, Casey Jane, Jace David,
and Drew Louis; brothers, Patrick (Eleanor) Johnson, Kennis Paul
(Martha), and Michael Johnson, all of Eskasoni First Nation;
godchildren, Laureen Paul, Membertou; and Kyle Prosper and Andrea
Paul, both of Paqtnkek; and her numerous nieces and nephews. Also
survived by special friends, Mary Basque, Annie (Gibbet) Stevens,
Linda Julian, Lori Duncan, Nancy MacLeod, Anne Marie Paul, and her
many friends, families, and colleagues at UNSM.
Besides her parents, brother, Tommy Johnson, godson, Niko
Clair, and her special Godmother Susie Stevens and Godfather, John T.
Johnson, Sally was predeceased by her husband, her Otie,
David Bryan Francis who was the love of her life.
Sally worked as the Director of Health for the Union of Nova
Scotia Mi’kmaq since 1995, a job she loved doing right up to
her passing. Sally was respected and admired by
many. She made enormous and incredible contributions in the
area of Health and Wellness. This respect came even before
she became an Elder. Her heartfelt passion and drive enabled
her to work tirelessly for First Nations everywhere. She was
a true advocate, mentor, and advisor. She had a wealth of
knowledge and experience and was so dedicated to all she
did. There were numerous times where Sally would be held up
at the airport and sometimes for days. Her job required her
to travel all of the time and even up to Nunavut where she was held
over for a few days. Her guidance and insights were
indicative of her passion for highlighting the importance of health
and wellness for First Nations. She had a great sense of
humour and would often leave a smile on many people’s faces
followed by a wonderful memory. One of Sally’s
last posts on Facebook was hilarious but can’t be repeated
here.
Not only did Sally work full time in Nova Scotia, she chaired
a few committees in her Region. She took part in the
regional health partnership and sat on three subcommittees.
The public health and primary care, mental wellness, and Non-Insured
Health benefits. If it had anything to do with health, Sally
was on it advocating for First Nations. She also co-chaired
many of those committees.
She also has sat on many, many national Health and Social
Committees:
AFN National FNs Health Technicians Network
AFN National Mental Wellness Committee
AFN National Public Health Experts Advisory
Committee
AFN NIHB Joint Review Steering Committee
AFN Joint Forum on Administrative & Operative
Tools
AFN Social Development Committee
AFN Jordan’s Principle Action Table
AFN National Expert Working Group on First Nations Early
Learning and Child Care
And previously on:
AFN National NIHB Committee
AFN Income Security Reform
AFN Housing
AFN Home and Community Care
First Nation Information Governance Committee
First Nations across Canada and internationally will miss
Sally so much. Sally has touched the hearts of
many.
She will be brought home to Paqtnkek to her daughter, Terena
Francis’s home, 8031 Highway 4 on Wednesday, August
12th at 5 PM for visitation and the funeral
Mass will be held on Saturday, August 15th
Immaculate Conception Church in Heatherton, NS,
at 11:00am. Burial in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Walnek
(Summerside Road). The funeral will be streamed live via a link on the
funeral home’s website. There will be a feast to
celebrate her life at the Paqtnkek Gymnasium. It is the
family’s request there will be no Salite at this
time. Any donations would be very much appreciated, you can
send to Tanya Francis at 228 Saqamaw Road, Afton, NS
B0H1A0 or by email money transfer at t.francis@paqtnkek.ca
Soar with the Eagles Sally you certainly earned your time to
rest!
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry
Funeral Home, Antigonish. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com
VISITATION
PROTOCOLS
All visitors are required to bring a
mask when attending the visitation. The number of people in
the home at any one time should be kept to a bare minimum to respect
the social distancing requirements of Nova Scotia, and hand sanitizer
will be provided. The province’s social distancing
guidelines can be found here.
At the direction of the Province of
Nova Scotia, there is no guest book
provided.
Anyone who is exhibiting COVID-19
symptoms or who could be considered high-risk of contracting the
coronavirus should avoid attending the visitation and
funeral. The list of COVID-19 symptoms can be found here.
Click here to View Condolences
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sarah Jane Sally Johnson 19492020..
Death notice for the town of: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia