Connie Johnson dead at 40: Samuel Johnson’s sister loses cancer battle
TRIBUTES and donations have poured in for Connie Johnson, after she died on Friday following a long battle with cancer.
TRIBUTES have poured in for Connie Johnson, the sister of Australian actor Samuel Johnson, who died on Friday age 40 after a long battle with cancer.
Her beloved brother Samuel shared the tragic news on Facebook on Friday. It came after the mother of two young boys was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her tireless work to raise millions of dollars for cancer research through her Love Your Sister charity.
“We lost Connie today. Or, as she asked me to say, she died of cancer today. It was so beautiful. We laughed, we cried, we sang stupid songs from our childhood to her, which she loved (mostly!),” Samuel Johnson wrote.
MORE: Connie and Sam’s incredible bond
“I read her so many village messages, which she relished. She went so richly, and with such grace. Trust me, she was genuinely cushioned by your love, till the end.”
He said he was “sad and sorry” to share the news of her death but “extremely grateful and proud.”
“I’m off to cuddle the fam and warmly embrace an exquisite whisky, in memory of my sister, who did so bloody well, from start to finish. Thanks for everything, Connie Cottonsocks. It was my pleasure to be your Sammy Seal.”
Announcing her death on The Project, host Sarah Harris wiped away tears, saying: “Your heart breaks for those two little boys”.
Co-host Meshel Laurie agreed, saying “they have a mother they can be proud of forever.”
“Yes, and if we can be half the mother that she has been in the short time, bub, we will be going OK,” she said.
The family established a website for tributes and donations to be added to an online wall at loveforconnie.org. It was quickly inundated with comments from well wishers praising her as a “true warrior”.
Vicki Marsh wrote: “Connie you were a beautiful soul to good for this world. Thank you from a cancer survivor for all you have done. Fly free lovely lady heaven is waiting. My love and hugs to your family.”
Lizzie Davies said: “Dear Connie, rest in peace you amazing soul… the world has lost a brave and selfless woman. Much love to your family and friends.”
Sheree and Sarah Wilson said her message was heard “loud and clear”, while Janette Cass-Dunbar wrote that she would “forever remember” meeting her in July.
“I am very glad I had a chance to thank you in person for everything you’ve done to try to help stop this happening to others in the future. You and Sam are truly inspiring,” she said.
Others left comments on social media praising her heroic efforts to fight the deadly disease to the very end.
We take a look back at the incredible life of Connie Johnson and her lasting legacy. #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/3JWSR4dnTO
— The Project (@theprojecttv) September 8, 2017
Connie Johnson: what a fighter.
— Leigh Sales (@leighsales) September 8, 2017
So sad to hear the news of the passing of Connie Johnson. A beautiful person who gave so much to so many. Thoughts are with her family #RIP
— lehmo (@lehmo23) September 8, 2017
Rest in peace Connie Johnson. Beautiful tribute @theprojecttv
— Hayden Nelson (@haydennelson) September 8, 2017
Go well, Connie Johnson. Cancer warrior, fundraiser, fighter, mother & sister. What a legacy you leave. Love to Sam. @loveyoursister 💕💕
— Candice Wyatt (@CandiceWyatt10) September 8, 2017
Connie was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 11, undergoing three years of treatment before the disease returned with a tumour in her womb when she was 22.
Then in July 2010, on her eldest son Willoughby’s fourth birthday, she was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and told she may have only six to 12 months to live.
In April this year, aged 40, having undergone a double mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy and countless medical procedures, she announced she was ceasing treatment.
“I guess my organs are just saying, ‘No more. No more,” she told The Canberra Times.
In her final interview with news.com.au, Connie thanked the Australian public for their outpouring of support.
“The world is our oyster,” she said. “Thank you for the love, thank you for the support, thank you for the friendship. Live each day, notice the nice moments and now is awesome.”
Asked whether she’d found any peace with the knowledge that she was dying she said she was “not there, there’s just too much to do”.
“I want to take the kids to the circus, we’ve never been to a circus,” she said. “I want to take them to a hedge maze. I want to take Hammy (son Hamilton) to a motor bike show or a monster truck rally.
“Peace with dying? Nowhere near it.”
HER LIFE
Born in 1977, Connie was raised in Daylesford, Victoria with Samuel and their sister Hilde.
Their mother died by suicide when Connie was just a toddler, so all three children were raised by their father.
“My dad was a phenomenal man, he was more than capable of bringing up the kids on his own,” Samuel said during an episode of Anh Do’s Brush With Fame.
“I remember growing up with a dad who was authoritarian, but also effeminate ... so I had a two-in-one deal.
“I had a great childhood. I had heaps of fun. I don’t remember hardship, I remember the value of not being able to get everything you want.”
Connie and Sam were always incredibly close. He is known as ‘Uncle Puddles’ to his nephews and has spoken about the “important job” he has in helping to raise Connie’s sons.
Connie’s husband Mike Johnson keeps a low media profile and did not speak publicly about his wife’s condition during her final months.
FINAL MONTHS
Connie moved into hospice care in July. In an emotional post shared on the Love Your Sister Facebook page her brother Samuel said his sister was “actively dying”.
“Con’s needed a lot of quiet time lately to try and comprehend the total headf***ery that ‘actively dying’ brings,” he wrote.
Connie often spoke about the impact her illness had on her two young sons — Willoughby now 11 and Hamilton, who turns 10 on September 26.
“They were three and four when I was diagnosed and Sam and I were three and four when our mum died and we have no memories of our mum.” she said in an interview in 2015.
“That was very hard thinking my children wouldn’t remember me. Now I know they are old enough to have a memory of me, it might be weird little memories of me but at least they will have them for the rest of their lives.”
In one of her final interviews, she shared the story of how one of her sons was happy to spend hours with her at the hospice, but the other just wanted to “check that I’m alive, check that I'm talking and leave. Quick hug. Get out”.
“He is having anxiety about going to school because of what might happen while he is at school,” she said.
RAISING MILLIONS FOR RESEARCH
Her illness and treatment never stopped her efforts to raise money for cancer research.
Her brother, Gold Logie award wining actor Samuel, established their charity Love Your Sister after her breast cancer diagnosis with the aim of raising $10 million for research.
He quit acting and rode a unicycle around Australia, talking to anyone who would listen to raise money for cancer.
But it was one of the last projects that Connie helped organise that was also their most successful.
The Big Heart Project encouraged people to donate five cent coins that were laid out in a giant love heart.
The initiative raised more than $2.2 million, while the Love Your Sister campaign has raised a total of $5.6 million.
Initially cranky about his sister’s campaign for him to win television’s top award, Johnson dedicated his win to his sister and used the platform to continue to raise funds.
“My sister is succumbing finally to the perils of cancer after a three decade long tussle and rather than rolling over, she’s going out blazing with an attempted world record for the longest line of coins, absurdly,” he said in an emotional speech.
“On behalf of my beautiful sister Connie, who I dedicate this award to, I would like to urge any family watching affected by cancer or not to join us in our quest to keep our families safe from the terrors of cancer.
“LoveYourSister.org or Love Your Sister on Facebook. I love you, Connie, I love you.”
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