We Remember

JOHNSON, Laraine
December 1, 1945 — May 3, 2025
Laraine Barbara Johnson (née Staples), born on December 1, 1945, in North Bay, Ontario, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025, at Kelowna General Hospital at the age of 79.
Laraine lived a life full of connection and curiosity. From her early years as the daughter of the late Owen and Elaine Staples, she carried forward a love for people and laughter, and she lit up every room she entered. Her working years were spent in school board administration. After retirement, she and her beloved husband, Ken Johnson, settled in Westbank, BC, where they embraced the slower pace and natural beauty of the Okanagan. After Ken’s passing, Laraine later moved to the Missionwood Retirement Resort, where she continued to make friends and share stories.
Music brought Laraine joy. She sang in the choir and loved the way harmonies could bring people together. She was a deeply spiritual person, guided by intuition, wonder, and more than a few horoscopes clipped from newspapers or shared in conversation. She believed in signs and in moments of serendipity.
Family meant the world to her. She is survived by her daughter, Holly, and son-in-law, Gerard, and was a proud and doting grandmother to Owen and Dylan. She also leaves behind her sister Carolyn (Paul); her first husband, Gerry Paterson; nephew Patrick (Penny) and their children Pavlos & Kaitlyn; niece Tara (Liv) and their children Anika & Tristan; and many other loving family members and friends. Sadly, she was predeceased by her loving husband, Ken Johnson, and her special friend George Held.
Laraine was generous with her time and her affection. She had a knack for crafting beautiful family photo books – carefully curated collections of memories that brought everyone’s stories together in one place. It was just one of the many ways she showed her love.
The world feels a little less bright without her in it, but her spirit lives on in those she loved.
A Graveside Service will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, 3:00 pm, at St John’s Cemetery, 102 Golf Club Road, North Bay, ON. Snacks & Refreshments to follow at Homewood Suites by Hilton North Bay, 495 Oak Street West, in the Waterfront Room.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 4, 2025, 2:00 pm, at Missionwood Retirement Resort, 1075 Barnes Avenue, Kelowna, BC. Snacks & Refreshments to follow in the Dining Room.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
Service
Saturday, June 21, 2025, 3:00 pm,
Location
St John's Cemetery, North Bay, ON
I will miss our exchanges on Whatapp, I will miss her laugh, her kindness, a friend that I made by accident but will never forget. Gone way too early, too young and trust she will be with the angles, smiling, and they are holding her hand. So Sad to see you go so fast, a few days before I got to Kelowna. Hugs to you Laraine, love you Lois