Click here to view Recording of Chris' Gathering

With heavy hearts we regretfully announce the passing of Christina Marie Lavers, aged 63, on August 11th, 2024 in Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. Chris was born on December 25th, 1960, in Port Saunders, Newfoundland. She was a Lighthouse Keepers daughter, the youngest of seven children born to parents Arthur Moses Lavers and Ella House. Growing up, she lived on Kepple Island most of the year and in the fishing village of Port Saunders during the winter months. She went to school by boat each day with her siblings and cousins. The Island was much fun to grow up on, and brought new adventures every day. Chris was profoundly proud of where she grew up and the loving family she was born into. After high school, Chris moved on to college in Corner Brook, and later met her true love, Philip Johnson. With him, she settled down, and raised two beautiful children, Martin Arthur Charles Johnson and Mary-Lynn Christina Johnson. The adventures never ended. The family of four were spirited away by the RCMP every four years, on average, to a new home, a new promise, and a new challenge.  The family took advantage of new surroundings by camping, boating, and meeting new friends.

Over the course of 39 years of marriage to her "Mountie", Chris moved ten times, including stops in Cape Dorset and Iqaluit in the Eastern Arctic, Yellowknife in the West, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. She always secured meaningful jobs along the way; her two favourites were serving as the Corporate Secretary to the NWT Power Corporation, and as the Complaints Administrator for the Nova Scotia Barristers Society. She lived in or visited every province and territory. She and Philip loved to travel abroad as well, visiting Europe, Asia and the Caribbean on several occasions.  Chris volunteered as a coach for her children's sports teams, and more recently with the Tatamagouche Area Trails Association as well as Walk Nova Scotia.

Chris lived her life as a strong, independent woman. As a 20-year-old, she and a friend embarked on a cross Canada hitch-hiking tour, making it as far as Lake Louise before deciding to return home. She often drove great distances with her children to visit friends, relatives, and her home in Port Saunders. Her finest achievement was in May 2019, when she flew to France with a knapsack on her back to walk the 800 km "French Way" Camino de Compostela. Averaging 25 kms per day, she arrived in Santiago de Compostela, Spain after only 34 days of walking. She met fellow pilgrims from around the world, but formed a special bond with friend Lyne from Quebec. Chris' plans for another camino were put on hold when she was diagnosed with cancer in February of this year. In spite of wonderful care from her oncology team, and a brave and gallant effort on her part, she lost her life to this cruel disease. A special thank you to Dr. MacDonald and the caring nurses who kept her comfortable during her final weeks.

Chris is survived by her husband, Philip Johnson; children, Marty (Pia), Elmsdale, NS, and Mary-Lynn (Adam), Riverview NB; grandchildren William and Ella; sisters, Mary Plowman, Kathleen (Loraine) Hamlyn, Marilyn (Jody) Dobbin, all from Port Saunders, NL.; brother, Martin (Ina) Lavers, Red Deer, AB; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Moses and Ella Lavers; sisters, Chrissy Lavers, Evelyn Gould; brothers-in-law George Plowman and George Gould, and grand-niece Claire Lavers.

At Chris' request, a Gathering of Family and Friends will take place in Sharon United Church, Tatamagouche on Wednesday, August 21st at 3pm, with Reverend Connie McNamara officiating. A reception will follow in the Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital Foundation, or the Tatamagouche Area Trails Association. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Coulter's Funeral Home in Tatamagouche.

Donation Information:

TATA Trail Assoc. https://nstrails.com/donate-now/

Lillian Fraser Foundation https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/id/66777