Anda Johnston, née Lazdins, peacefully on Sunday, the 24th of December 2017 at Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, Ontario after battling cancer.
Anda is survived by her loving husband Brian (Butts) Johnston, her mother Herta Lazdins (née Dalke) of Toronto, her siblings Percy Lazdins (Lorna) of Salmon Arm, B.C., Valdemars Karlis (Lindsay) Sarnia, Ontario and several cherished nieces and nephews. Anda’s father Gunars Lazdins predeceased her. Anda’s passing came exactly 40 years after she and Brian visited Bethlehem on Christmas Eve in 1977.
Anda was born on the 26th of July 1946 in Wurzburg, Germany. She came to Canada with her family in the early 1950s as a young girl. After completing secondary education in Ontario Anda attended McGill University, graduating in Physical Education with a degree in Concurrent Education. Anda met her future husband Brian when both were teaching at Central Technical School in Toronto. After marriage they continued with the TDSB and Anda’s lengthy and accomplished teaching career in both Montreal and Toronto eventually lasted for more than 30 years and included classroom teaching, work with special needs students, coaching and administrative duties. Her caring and compassionate nature continued in retirement with many volunteer activities.
Anda was a life-long member of the Latvian-Canadian Community. She was active in programs and committees at St. John’s Lutheran Latvian Church, The Latvian Centre, and Gundegas. An accomplished, talented and witty person who loved volunteering and service, Anda was passionate about education, community service and life in general.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the professional, thoughtful compassionate care provided by the Toronto Central LHIN and its associate agencies, as well as the staff at Sunnybrook Hospital, especially those on the Oncology Ward, at the Odette Cancer Centre and the Palliative Care Wing.
Visitation will take place at the York Cemetery and Funeral Centre, 160 Beecroft Road, North York. Wednesday, January 3 2018. From 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A private family service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Latvian Church of Toronto or the Palliative Care Unit, Sunnybrook Foundation.