Centenarian Lillie Johnson Celebrated for Her Work at Order of Canada Investiture During Black History Month

By Neil Armstrong

Photo contributed      Lillie Johnson at the Order of Canada investiture

Lillie Johnson’s relatives are very proud of their “Aunt Lillie” or “Aunt Cissy” as they call her. 

Speaking on their behalf at the investiture of the Order of Canada at Extendicare Rouge Valley in Scarborough on February 27, her nephew-in-law, Legiston Ferron, said “Every family should have a Lillie Johnson for her tenacity, her strong opinions — and she’s usually right — and her softer sense of true caring, good humour, and her ability to mentor young people and to have fun at the appropriate time.”

He said the family and people of Cornwall Mountain in Westmoreland, Jamaica, were proud of the centenarian who will mark her 102^nd birthday on March 16, 2024. 

“She’s very special not only to us, but also to the people and organizations she has touched over the years. Aunt Lillie, you have made them all better with your infectious drive and dedication to task. Your passion, especially for the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario, is legendary and deeply appreciated. You’ve done more in your lifetime than many others could ever dream of doing and you are one of the most amazing women that I’ve ever known. Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition as an Order of Canada recipient.”

Referencing the Irish playwright and critic George Bernard Shaw’s famous quote — 'Some men see things as they are and say why, I dream things that never were and say, why not' — Ferron said, “Lillie Johnson dreamt of things that never were and asked why not.” Also present was Johnson’s niece, Verna Robinson.

His remarks concluded the presentation of the Order of Canada insignia by Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

Johnson was among 78 new appointments to the Order announced by Governor General Mary Simon in late December 2023. Through their exemplary commitment, they inspire and challenge us to join them in making Canada a better country, said the announcement.

Reading the citation to accompany the presentation of the insignia, Dr. Jim Lai, the aide-de camp of the lieutenant governor, noted that investitures into the Order of Canada usually take place at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. However, at the request of the governor general this investiture was happening in Scarborough.

 “Nurse and educator, Lillie Johnson, is a dedicated public health advocate. Founder of the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario, she led the organization for four decades encouraging greater understanding of the disease at the public and academic levels, and successfully lobbying for its inclusion in newborn screening in Ontario. She has also been involved in the development of specialized organizations to further address the health needs of the Black community.

“By command of the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, Lillie Johnson of Scarborough is hereby invested as a Member of the Order of Canada,” he said, which was followed by applause from all those gathered for the occasion including some of the residents, staff and administration personnel.

Lillie Johnson with Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

Johnson was born on March 16, 1922, in St. Ann, Jamaica, to parents who were both teachers. She was one of ten children and after graduating from Wolmer’s High School, she attended Shortwood Teachers College, taught at various schools in the 1940s before leaving for Edinburg, Scotland to become a nurse in the 1950s, and then went to England where she studied midwifery and worked in Oxfordshire. 

Johnson returned to Jamaica and worked at the University College of the West Indies for a few years before leaving to work as a nurse at Beth Israel Hospital in New Jersey. In 1960, she migrated to Canada to work for the Canadian Red Cross, then at St. Joseph’s Hospital and subsequently the Hospital for Sick Children. She was the first Black director of public health in Canada — between 1982 and 1988, she was the director of public health for Leeds-Grenville & Lanark District in Eastern Ontario.

Elaine Thompson, who shares Johnson’s power of attorney with veteran social justice advocate Beverly Johnson, said she has known her for many years, from being her Mary Kay customer to attending her health briefings for CUSO, the international development agency for Canada, and being a board member of the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario (SCAO), which Lillie Johnson founded in 1981.

Thompson said she nominated Johnson for the Order of Ontario which she received in 2010. In 2014, Johnson’s memoir, “My Dream,” was published as a Canada 150 series publication.

“The most important lesson I have learned in life is how much I have been influenced by family and home environment: the sincerity, the honesty and the love for people regardless of colour, race or creed. That has had a great influence on the work that I have done,” writes Johnson in “My Dream.”

Dr. Michael Guerriere, the president and chief executive officer of Extendicare, said they were extremely proud to have Johnson as one of their residents and congratulated her on the appointment and expressed how honoured they felt that she was being invested into the Order during Black History Month. He noted that her passion and pursuit of improving health care has changed countless lives.

Among those in attendance at the investiture were Dr. Christopher Morgan, founder of the Black Health Alliance, and Ulysse Guerrier, president of the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario.

“At some point in time she had a burning desire to help those people in a particular community that many people didn’t recognize were invisible, unaware, and were not getting the type of treatment that they deserve, and that was the sickle cell community,” said Dr. Morgan, noting that Johnson, with Beverly Johnson and others decided to establish the SCAO. 

“Lillie has been a pioneer, tireless in her efforts,” he said, noting that Johnson’s love of people kept her going and she encouraged people to believe in themselves.

Photo contributed   Left to right: Michael Guerriere, President & CEO, Extendicare; Legiston Ferron; Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario; Rev. Amirold Lazard, Church of the Nativity, Malvern; Beverly Johnson, Elaine Thompson and Dr. Christopher Morgan with Lillie Johnson

Guerrier said he met Johnson in 1998 when he moved back to Toronto from Montreal where he was involved in a sickle cell organization.

He said he told her that the reason he came to the SCAO was to find out what the organization could do for him. “She paused for a moment, she looked at me and then she said, ‘Instead of you asking what the association can do for you, why don’t you ask yourself what you can do for the organization?’ After she told me that, I’m like, what! like I need help, I’m coming to you and this is what you tell, so I was upset.”

After a few months, he attended a brunch with his brother at her invitation where he met other people with sickle cell. Since 2000, Guerrier became more involved and is now the president.

Johnson’s spiritual leader, Reverend Amirold Lazard of the Church of the Nativity, Malvern, blessed the ceremony.

Photo contributed   Elaine Thompson, Lillie Johnson and Neil Armstrong

Elaine Thompson in conversation with Lillie Johnson with in the background, left to right: Ulysse Guerrier, president of the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario; Dr. Christopher Morgan, founder of the Black Health Alliance; and Legiston Ferron, Johnson's nephew-in-law

A reception was held in an adjoining room where a cake with a congratulatory message was complemented by sandwiches, sandwich wraps, tea, and bottles of water.