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Obituary
Moya Teresa Johnson (née Dillon), 1949-2023
Everyone who knew Moya – as a nurse, a public servant, or a friend – would agree she was a benevolent force. Moya was unwaveringly kind, empathetic, and giving, but also fiercely independent, forthright, and strong. Her brilliant spirit shone brightly on everyone around her.
Moya’s benevolence came from her grandmother, Jessie. Moya’s grandparents lived with the family when Moya was young, and Jessie became Moya’s roommate and best friend. Jessie’s quiet kindness never left Moya’s heart; she felt embraced by Jessie’s love throughout her whole life.
Moya was raised in a lively home in Toronto with her grandparents, parents, three brothers, and one Dachshund. Moya’s father Edward (Ted) fought for the Allied Forces in Europe from 1939 to 1945, and when he returned home, he and his wife Eleanor started their family – first Michael, then Moya, Teddy, and Peter. Making her way around the city, often on her own, and rough-and-tumble summers outdoors at the family cottage on Woodland Beach undoubtably forged Moya’s steely self-determination. As the only girl among her three giant brothers, she became a giant in her own way.
Moya enjoyed a long and varied professional life but always identified first and foremost as a nurse. Nursing was Moya’s passion; it was the job that perfectly harnessed her benevolent force. And oh, did she love babies! There may never have been nor will again be someone to adore babies so much as Moya. Her radiant love for newborns drove her to become a pioneer of neonatal care in Toronto-area hospitals, a leading educator of neonatal resuscitation, and, right up until the end, a minder of child health outcomes of fertility programs across Canada. During her half-century career in health care, countless families have been made whole by Moya’s tireless dedication to the wellbeing of babies and children.
A natural extension of her efforts to help families was Moya’s faithful stewardship of her beloved community of Halton Hills. In 1975, a pair of adventurous newlyweds left the familiar streets of the Beach for the rural charm of Georgetown, and this city girl easily made a home of the small town and found dozens of lifelong friends among her new neighbours. Feeling compelled to contribute more to the community, Moya was first elected to Halton Hills Council in 1994 and would represent her Ward 3 neighbourhood for 28 years, championing health and safety, the public library, diversity and accessibility, responsible growth, and conservation of the town’s built heritage and natural environment. If ever in Georgetown, be sure to visit the site of the future park named for Moya at the junction of Mill and McNabb Streets; listen carefully for birdsong above the gurgling of Silver Creek and the trains rumbling nearby and know that she would be so happy there.
For all that Moya gave to her patients, colleagues, constituents and community, her heart and soul remained always with her family. It all started at the 1966 CNE, where Rick first saw Moya modelling in a fashion show. A couple of years and missed opportunities later, Moya and Rick started dating as undergraduates at the University of Toronto. From then on, they shared a lifetime of love based in deep understanding and appreciation for each other; they were married in November of 1973 and together built a gilded world for their children Simon, Matthew, and Amy. The family later grew to include adored in-laws Michelle, Michelle, and Eric, and cherished grandchildren Cohen, Reese, Jane, and Dillon. Her annual trip to Florida with Rick, holiday gatherings with her brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and family getaways at the cottage in Bala were Moya’s favourite events of each year. When she first learned of her illness, Moya was committed to remain at home with her family no matter what happened, and through Rick’s unshakeable devotion to her care, she did. It brought Moya immense comfort knowing that Jessie and Teddy were waiting for her on the other side.
The night before Moya passed the family gathered at home for a magical evening together, full of laughter, memories, jokes, and tears. And she was right where she wanted to be.
Friends will be received at the Jones Funeral Home, 11582 Trafalgar Road, Georgetown, on Saturday, April 29, 2023 for visitation at 11:00 a.m. until a Memorial Service in the chapel at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Moya’s memory to Knox Presbyterian Church Out of the Cold Foundation and Georgetown Bread Basket are appreciated.
February 12 2023
Death notice for the town of: Georgetown, Province: Ontario
death notice Moya Johnson February 12 2023
obituaries notice Moya Johnson February 12 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Moya Johnson February 12 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
