Connie Johnson (nee Corbett)

April 15, 1953 – August 18, 2023 (70 years) of Calgary, Alberta (She/Her)

Connie chose to pass peacefully in her home August 18th, 2023, after an admirable battle with Cancer. She was surrounded by her loving husband Edward, her daughter Carly, and her son Ben.

Constance “Connie” Corbett started her life in Prince Albert Saskatchewan born to Al and Betty Corbett. Along with her older siblings Gary Corbett and Leslie Stringer, they moved to Calgary when she was still a toddler. She grew up with heaps of friends, of which many she kept for life. The popular beauty attended high school at Viscount Bennet where she was crowned “Ms. Viking, Corbett from Orbit” at her space themed prom. She continued her education at S.A.I.T achieving her diploma in Project Management.

In her late teens she eagerly worked along side her father at McKenzie’s Jewelers, helping pave the way for future endeavors. Her ambition paid off when she began her career in the Oil field working for both Gulf Oil and Petro Canada. She worked diligently but found time to make undying friendships and was always “dressed to the nines” as her husband put it. Connie then found her calling when she moved to the not-for-profit sector. Despite the cut in salary, she was fulfilled by positively impacting the community. Starting at the YWCA, she specialized in writing resumes and leading Myers Briggs workshops. Organizing the ‘Women in Trades’ program was her most rewarding contribution, especially her sister-in-law Brenda Ashton, one of her biggest advocates and best friends. Following the YWCA, she would contribute to Vibrant Communities Calgary, fighting for ‘A Living Wage’ and ‘Fair Fares’ for citizens, and later giving her time to online women’s counselling with Sagesse.

Connie was a true professional, but no stranger to a fun time. While attending a cabaret in a downtown club called ‘Lucifers,’ Edward “Eddie,” asked Connie to dance and the rest is history. Whether traveling abroad, hosting a large celebration, or just a quiet night at home, they always did it together. Connie had an outgoing sense of style and a knack for decorating, her décor was ever changing and lavishly highlighted her own personal flair. Purely enjoying and meticulously planning, she hosted countless celebrations, with special emphasis on famous Christmas eves at the Johnson home.

Connie had a wonderfully unique laugh and loved to let it out (even if her snarky children made a joke at her expense). Little family quirks, or even a mispronounced word, quickly became everlasting inside jokes, triggering big belly laughs at the drop of a hat until the end. A delightful truth in her final words; “We always had humor in this house.”

Thank you to Connie’s amazing family, friends and neighbors for your love and support, and thank you to the wonderful professionals of Palliative care and MAID for making Connie’s final days comfortable and dignified. Thank you all very much.

A Celebration of Life is being held in her honour on September 6th, 2023, from 4:30 – 7:30 at the Edgemont Community Hall located at 33 Edgevalley Circle NW.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

Arrangements entrusted to Tamara Ellison, Funeral Director, Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca 403-932-1039