Carrying Anne’s Legacy Forward

When Doug Johnson talks about his wife, Anne, one thing becomes clear very quickly: she loved people.

Whether she was helping students at the University of New Brunswick, volunteering in the community, hosting friends and family, or welcoming others into her home, Anne had a gift for making people feel supported and valued.

"She loved helping people," Doug says simply.

Anne's commitment to others shaped the life she and Doug built together in Fredericton. Over the years, they became deeply connected to their community, supporting local organizations, opening their doors to students far from home, and giving their time wherever it was needed.

After Anne's passing, Doug began thinking about how he could honour the values they shared and continue supporting the causes that mattered most to them.

What started with donations to local organizations and a scholarship fund soon led to something bigger: the creation of a fund with the Fredericton Community Foundation.

For Doug, the decision was rooted in a simple idea—creating something that would continue helping others long into the future.

"I want it to keep going forever," he says.

Through their fund, support will continue for causes close to their hearts, including palliative care, support for women and families, arts and culture, and community services.

The experience of giving has also changed Doug's perspective. While the goal was always to help others, he discovered something unexpected along the way.

"We got so much pleasure out of seeing people's reaction," he says. "It was way better than I thought it would be."

Today, Doug hopes their story encourages others to think about the impact they can have in their own community. He believes every contribution matters and that generosity, no matter the size, can make a meaningful difference.

For him, creating a fund wasn't just about giving back. It was about carrying forward Anne's kindness, compassion, and love for community.

Through this fund, her legacy will continue helping others for generations to come.