Norma Josephine Johnson

“Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Norma Josephine Johnson, it summarized in every way who she was. She was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around her and always thinking before acting. She appreciated all the simple pleasures in life and was grateful for everything. Her family was always her first priority. She was a friendly and loving person who truly cared about those around her.

Norma was born on September 18, 1924 at Vernon Jubilee Hospital in Vernon, BC. She was the daughter of Leah and Stuart Forester. Raised in Lumby, BC, she was brought up to be tolerant, giving and trustworthy. As a child, she learned to be conscientious, responsible and considerate of others. These were all traits that she would carry with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Norma was always aware of how others around her felt and this quality served her well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Norma was generally able to avoid conflicts. It seemed as if Norma was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay. Preferring a quiet environment where she could concentrate, Norma also had the ability to relate well with her family and friends. Norma was raised with two siblings. She had a sister, Shirley, and a brother, Bill. Norma was constantly involved in activities with her family. Norma and her siblings had many memorable adventures while growing up and they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

Growing up, Norma was involved in numerous community and school activities. Norma was very popular with her school mates. In just about everything she did as a child, Norma was intent on pleasing both the adults and the other children around her. Norma took part in a number of activities as a child. She was involved in dancing, softball, basketball, skating outdoors, and watched her brother, Bill, play for the "Flying Frenchmen" (hockey team). She was active in the Sacred Heart Church in Lumby. In her spare time she liked practicing her piano, dancing and enjoying herself in her lessons, swimming in Bassette Creek and diving off the waterwheel.

Norma enjoyed learning. She always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Norma was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. She often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Norma was painstaking and accurate in her efforts. All of these talents made her a successfull student. Norma enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. Her favorite classes in high school were social studies and English. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Besty Warren. Mrs. Johnson was the Lumby May Queen in 1939. She also tap-danced for numerous community events and at the Empress theatre for the WW2 soldiers.

Most folks would say that Norma was shy until they got to know her. Those who were privileged to know her well, learned that she was a faithful and caring friend. Norma was reluctant to generalize about people, and she based her friendships on her personal experiences. She was concerned about how those around her felt, and she always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. She could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that she made, Norma kept. While growing up, some of her best friends were Peter Ward, Henry Siglet, Nancy Brewer, and Sissy and Bubby Bissett. Later in life, she became friends with the Larsons, Halversons, Warrens, John Keenan and Family, Nadia, the Wilsons, and Edna O'Neill. Mum loved everyone she interacted with.

When Norma was in her teens she met the love of her life, Gunnar Johnson. To the surprise of many she eloped at age 18 and was married in Nelson, BC. Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Norma. She was totally committed to Gunnar and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. They enjoyed many happy years together, living in the wood as Gunnar spent most of his career working in the forestry industry. They were lifelong residents of the Lumby- Vernon area where they raised their two children. They spent 46 happy years together untill Gunnar passed away in 1988. They loved traveling, dining out and enjoying family activities together.

Norma was a loving and caring mother who always 's put her children first. She had “old fashioned” parental values which she passed on to her family. Norma's loving manner allowed her to use gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way she seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around her. Not only was she a wonderful monther but also a good friend to her children Charmaine and Mark. She was also blessed with two grandchildren, Tina and Sherrie and three great grand children Braydon, Courtney and Sarina. She also was a beloved auntie to neices Patsy, Diane and Tara. Nephews Bob, Doug and Billy. As well as numerous great neices and nephews.

Norma was a dedicated homemaker, mother and wife. She was also a certified hair dresser. She kept a lovely home and garden. She was also very fashion oriented and always liked to look her best.

. Her favorite pursuits were crochet, knitting, gardening and playing the piano. Norma was content to sit quietly alone, enjoying her hobbies and could often be found reading the Bible and her many Christian books.

She was an avid Vancouver Canucks fan, never missing a game on TV. The Sedin twins and Robert Loungo held a special place in her heart. She attended many WHL games with her son and family both in Kamloops and Kelowna. Aside from hockey, Norma enjoyed watching figure skating and tennis.

Norma's faith was very important. Her compassion, consideration and sympathy for others was evident in her personal beliefs. In her youth she was a member of the Sacred Heart in Lumby. Throughout her adult years, Norma was a member of St. James Church and enjoyed the prayer groups and bible studies she also participated in with the Ladies Aglow. When visiting her son and daughter in law she also enjoyed attending the Baptist Church. She believed true Christians could be found anywhere and enjoyed sharing with all believers.

Favorite vacations included Santa Barbara, California with Gunnar, Hawaii with sister Shirley and sister in law Kay Forester and neice Diane. Also an Alaskan Cruise with sister Shirley and neice Desiree. She also enjoyed numerous trips to Vancouver and the Kootneys (Nelson) with her family.

In the early married years the family dog was Buster Brown a shepherd cross. Later in life Norma had Tuffy, a big black and white cat, who was her best friend for 15 years. Norma was as loyal to her pets as they were to her.

Norma passed away on February 9, 2011 at Vernon Jubilee Hospital due to a heart attack. She is survived by her daughter, Charmaine (Reg) Heichert, son, Mark (Anida) Johnson, her grand-daughters, Sherrie (Darcy) MacPhee and Tina (Rick) Lutgen, great grand children Courtney and Braydon Lutgen, Sarina MacPhee, her sister in law, Kay Forester and her son Bill, sister Shirley's children; Patsy Vetter, Bobby and Doug Salt. Services were held at St. James Catholic Church. Norma was laid to rest in Pleasant Valley Cemetery along side her husband Gunnar.

It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Norma was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Norma was a trustworthy, caring and sympathetic person, the kind of woman to whom everyone was drawn. She will be missed.

1 Corinthians 13:4-13 is a reflection of the love Norma gave to those those who came into her life:

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

JOHNSON, Norma

1924 - 2011

Norma Josephine Johnson was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, February 9th, 2011. She is survived by her loving family: daughter, Charmaine (Redgie) Heichert, son, Mark (Anida) Johnson, granddaughters: Tiria (Rick) Lutgen, Sherrie (Darcy) MacPhee; great grandchildren: Courtney and Braydon Lutgen, Sarina MacPhee; sister-in-law Kay Forester and son Bill, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Norma was predeceased by her husband, Gunnar Johnson, parents, Leah and Stuart Forester, brother Bill and sister Shirley Salt.

Norma, the prayer warrior, lived a life centered around family and friends. She always found the best in others will be remembered for her positive attitude and abundant love for everyone. Norma was a life-long resident of the Vernon/Lumby area – Lumby’s May Queen in 1939.

Prayers will be recited on Tuesday, February 15th, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in St. James Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. James on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Dale Normandeau, Celebrant. Interment in Pleasant Valley Cemetery followed by a reception in the tea room of Pleasant Valley Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, those friends wishing to make memorial contributions in memory of Norma, may do so to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 4 – 1551 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9M9.