Page created by: Leigh Johnson-Migalski

Norah Margaret (Chree) Johnson, age 79, died peacefully on her terms in hospice on February 2, 2023 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Ward Johnson; her children, Leigh (Ronald Migalski) Johnson-Migalski, and Maureen Johnson; her grandchildren, Cecilia Migalski and Lilian Johnson.

Norah was a proud Canadian, born and raised in Toronto by Lilian (Gilliland) and Alexander Chree, where she was loved by many cousins. She enjoyed cheerleading and synchronized swimming and then graduated in the top of her class at Downsview High School in 1962; her parents were so proud of Norah since she was first in her family to attend higher education graduating Toronto General Hospital School of Nursing in 1966. Always effervescent, Norah made great friends wherever she went from elementary/high school, in nursing school, and with neighbors everywhere she lived.

Norah married Ward in 1968 which began their journey of living in many different places from Belleville, Bolton, Montreal, and Thornhill then across the border to Hinsdale, Illinois. She worked as a nurse and different positions in healthcare including health education at the Robert Crown Center. Ward and Norah loved to watch hockey, dance, dine out with friends, host parties, attend cultural events, and play golf (both good and bad).

Norah supported her girls with their activities and volunteered in her community such as the Canadian Club of Chicago, the Hinsdale Humane Society, and the Six Mile Cypress Slough to name a few. Norah shared she felt most proud to raise (with Ward) their intelligent, courageous, curious, caring, independent girls. She lived to entertain and was famous for her annual Trivial Pursuit parties in which friends would rearrange their plans to not miss out. She loved her visits to all parts of Canada and USA as well as Europe, China, New Zealand, Australia and the Caribbean. She organized many family trips including taking her mother and her daughters to the ‘old country’ back to Belfast Ireland so all could deepen their roots.

Everyone knew Norah disliked the cold and for the last 20 years, she was a snowbird living in the Forest in Fort Myers. She loved organizing parties or card games and encouraged others to join teams like bocce. She continuously showed courage and flexibility in how she participated as Parkinson’s disease impacted her body but never her spirit. Norah will be greatly missed but will live on in our hearts, memories, and stories forever.