Date of publication: Monday 1 September 2025
Monday 11 August 2025
Remembering and honouring Lillie Johnson
by Kathy Grant
It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of nurse and community stalwart Lillie Johnson. She was 103 years old
At 29 years old, Johnson moved to Edinburgh, Scotland to pursue nursing.Johnson migrated to Ontario, Canada in 1960 to work as a nurse after practicing in England, Jamaica and America.
Johnson became the Director of Nursing Services at Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark District Health Unit in Smiths Falls, Ontario.
Aside from nursing, Johnson also taught a post-diploma certificate course in Child and Maternal Health at Humber College.
In 1981, Johnson founded the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario to provide outreach and advocacy programs not previously available in the region.
Honours
In 2010, Johnson was made a Member of the Order of Ontario for her advocacy work to include screening for sickle cell disease in the universal screening process for newborns.
In 2015, Johnson was a torchbearer for the 2015 Pan American Games held in Toronto, Ontario.
In 2023, Johnson was made a Member of the Order of Canada for her contribution to public health
