A tribute to cousin Rae from “Aunty Florence’s” son Garry (Stephanson) and his wife Judy...
The Johnson siblings were a family of eight, and among them they in turn had several children. Rae, as Aunty Aurora's first born child, grew up surrounded by cousins and by caring aunts and uncles. She was very much a "family" person, and it's easy to see why...
From Garry: One of his fondest memories of Rae and the other cousins was the annual Eaton's Santa Claus Parade. On these occasions, all the aunts and uncles and cousins would gather at the big three storey house at William Avenue, where Florence, Stephan, Garry and Susan lived with Grandma Johnson and Grandma Stephanson. Before that day, the grandmas, with some help from the aunties, would prepare all kinds of Christmas goodies- tarts, loaves, cookies, shortbread, and always their traditional and delicious Vinarterta. Everyone would stand out front, watching the parade and then go indoors for the seasonal sweets and warm drinks.
From Judy: My strongest recollections of Rae were actually not mine, but from Florence's reminiscences...
Rae loved having her mom and aunties for "Christmas in Calgary"! Florence shared memories of the many times that she, Aunty Aurora and Aunty Maria would fly to out to spend the holiday season with Rae, Russell, Kevin and Kristen. On these visits, Ron & Leni, Bev & Al and Linda & Brian, would take turns hosting dinner, but Rae & Russell would have the whole family at their home on Christmas Eve. The sisters would arrive from Winnipeg, each with an extra suitcase full of gifts for the West, and go back to Winnipeg with the extra bags stuffed full of special treasures. They loved surprising each other and found great pleasure in just being together with the rest of the family!
The quite different adventures that Rae, her Mom, and her aunties went on in later years were Royal Caribbean luxury cruises. They were the invited guests of Aunty Maria Harper. Present were Aunty Aurora, Maria, Florence and Rae, and, of course, Rae's son, Kevin. He was their stalwart and ebullient companion when the ladies needed pampering or assistance of any kind. Kevin provided a whole other level of humour and laughs. I know he enjoyed teasing them and regaling them with stories, and they adored him!
Florence often said that although Rae was younger, the four ladies behaved like sisters, with all the giggles and silliness you could imagine, no matter when or where they were together. What a wonderful bond of mutual respect, caring and love.
We miss you all!
