Norah Margaret Johnson, nee Chree, 79, formerly of Hinsdale, died peacefully in hospice Feb. 2, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Norah was a proud Canadian, born and raised in Toronto by Lilian, nee 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 from Toronto General Hospital School of Nursing in 1966.
Always effervescent, Norah made great friends wherever she went - in elementary and 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 to Bolton, Montreal and Thornhill and then across the border to Hinsdale. She worked as a nurse and in different positions in health care, including health education at the Robert Crown Center (now Candor Health Education). 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 with organizations 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 U.S. 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" in 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 her family's hearts, memories and stories forever.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Ward Johnson; her children, Leigh (Ronald Migalski) Johnson-Migalski and Maureen Johnson; and her grandchildren, Cecilia Migalski and Lilian Johnson.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Norah's life any time between 1 and 4 p.m. Friday, March 24, at The Forest Country Club, 6100 Club Blvd SW, Fort Myers, Fla .; or any time from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, 510 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made online to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=2552&np=true.
