Karen MacDougall Johns
Issue #107 - May 7, 2024
This edition of Sky Studio is dedicated to Karen MacDougall Johns
This issue of Sky Studio is dedicated to Karen MacDougall Johns, who passed away May 4, 2024.
Craig Huckerby, long time broadcasting colleague and friend of Karen’s tells us, “I have known Karen for about 40 years dating back to our Huron Broadcasting days. Loved her laugh and humour and her artistic talents.
“Later she would write columns for SooNews.ca on animal welfare and why it's so important to help those who can't help themselves. I loved her passion for all the little critters - who just seemed to gravitate to her, it was like they knew they were safe with Karen.
“Her along with her husband, Kevin Johns who met and fell in love at Huron Broadcasting, are truly some of the best people I know. I will miss Karen and her loving soul for the rest of my days.”
Karen worked in the telecine department of CJIC TV with the ‘Golden Age’ of colleagues from the 1970s as well as doing some TV studio camera work, learning from the TV pioneers of the day like Bert Luciani.
Art Osborne remembers seeing Karen for the first time in the 1970s as he came up the 119 East Street building stairs, “She was standing in the hallway and the big window behind her was full of sunshine silhouetting her with a glow all around. To this day I remember thinking then, ‘There’s an angel.' After knowing her, I knew my first impesssion was right."
Her smile and sincerity radiated everywhere and with everyone.
Batchawana Voyageur owner, Frank O’Connor posted on Facebook, “She was an amazing woman, wife and mother. Batchawana will miss her love and caring ways,” reminding us of her love for that area and how she looked forward to being there each year.
Elizabeth Lacelle, one of Karen’s daughters had this beautiful tribute, “I remember being five-years old and terrified of losing my mom because it was normal for her to be rushed to the hospital with her heart condition. I am grateful I had 38 more years of being scared to lose her, but this Saturday my childhood fear came true.
“She was the most loving mother who gave me memories of singing me to sleep and cuddling with me when I was scared.....memories of the dreaded wooden spoon (ouch!), and I'm pretty sure she fed me soap more than once (and I can assure you it was deserved!).
“I remember being very young and trudging through the snow beside her while she dragged a Christmas tree with her to put in our apartment--she would do anything to make sure my Christmases were special.
“I remember waking up in the middle of the night one time, and I was so sure I had seen an elf--she never doubted me for a second.
“I've searched endlessly with her looking for pretty rocks, layed on the beach with her talking about anything and everything, and laughing together about how much she loved nature and how much less I did! Almost every spring that I can remember, I didn't get to see my mom without a baby squirrel tucked in the pocket of her shirt.
“She loved her granddaughters more than anything, and because of her they will forever be searching for treasures on the beach and seeing the beauty in the tiniest of things.
“I've always known this day would come but I also knew I'd never be ready. She's been sick for so long and even if I couldn't see her, we never went long without a phone call that always ended with "I love you". I've said many times that all the things that drove me crazy about her would be the things I miss the most but the truth is I'll miss it all. She wasn't meant to be held down by illness--she had too many dreams and fairytales to explore and I can only hope that now she has the freedom to be what she always was--a free spirit. I love you Mom ”
Special announcements:
JOHNS, Karen - Obituary - Sault Ste. Marie - Sault Ste. Marie News (sootoday.com)
JOHNS, Karen - FirstLocalNews.com
Karen Johns Obituary - Sault Ste. Marie, ON (dignitymemorial.com)
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In ongoing efforts to make Sky Studio more complete,
this issue also acknowledges and adds to our honour role:
Irene Corbett, was custodian at CJIC Radio and worked overnights into the early morning. Irene became part of the CJIC Radio morning show with cameo appearances with John Rhodes and later with Lou Turco. While cleaning the main studio, she regularly disregarded the ON AIR sign, leading to some humourous moments and subsequently brief interviews with John and Lou.
Ken Danby was a prominent photo-realist painter and avid print maker, who was born in 1940 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Danby was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy and received numerous awards including, the Order of Canada. He served on the boards of the National Gallery of Canada and Canada Council for the Arts. The city of Sault Ste Marie honoured Danby through its Award of Merit and Walk of Fame and by naming Ken Danby Way after him.
Danby’s works are owned by numerous private and public collections.
He was in the CJIC Art Department in the 1960s and painted a number of backdrops for the station’s television shows including one for Down Yonder country music show hosted by Don Ramsey.
The subject matter of many of Danby’s early works was found on St. Joseph Island and it was there that he met his first wife Judy Harcourt, whom he married in 1965. On 23 September 2007, Danby collapsed while on a canoe trip in Algonquin Park with his second wife Gillian Danby and friends.
Cleto Dimaria did an Italian show on CJIC radio in the late 1950s and laid claim to being the first pizza shop in the city with his Cleto’s Restaurant.
Trixie Hardy owned and operated The Trixie Hardy School of Dancing and while a stern taskmaster her youthful dancers loved her. Along the way CJIC TV producer Frank Gardi struck up a long and rewarding friendship. The Trixie Hardy Dancers appeared in virtually all of Frank's many TV specials. When it came to CJIC TV productions, Trixie and Frank were synonymous.
Floyd Owens, among the first announcers at CJIC radio, 1930s-1940s.
Rita Tuckett was an artist and a driving force in the Sault's artistic community including the Allied Arts Council. She had a weekly 30-minute TV appearance on Grace Pitt's afternoon program, highlighted by her English accent and wicked sense of humour. Rita was recognized by her British appearance in tweed jackets, brogues and her ubiquitous cigarette drooping from the side of her mouth. Rita had a huge and loyal following in the community.
