Gladys Norene Johnston

Norene was born on January 27th, 1927, in Racket, Missouri, the daughter of William Boyd Cochran and Rosella Summers.

Norene was raised in Tightwad, MO, with three sisters, Emogene, Margie, and Jane, and eight brothers: Edwin, Jewel, Hurley, Delmer, Kenneth, Wayne, John, and Jim.

Norene and her husband, Jack Johnston, owned and operated Clay County Food Mart, aka the Locker, for 38 years at the Corner of Antioch and Parvin Road before selling in 1988, the same year Jack passed. She worked for Sears for the next 30 years and was one of the top sales representatives, receiving local, regional, and national awards until she finally retired in her 80’s. She was a dedicated wife and role model for her four children, Sharon McAuliffe, James Johnston, Jackie Fields, and Dan Johnston, seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

She loved her family and was a role model of unconditional and never-ending love. Days before her passing, she told stories of each brother and sister, son, daughter, and grandchildren. She was soft-spoken most of the time, but when she felt she needed to be heard, add value to a conversation, or give you some advice, it was straightforward, no-nonsense, and tough love-based. She had her values, and they were nonnegotiable when it came to family and friends. She also had an onery streak, a great sense of humor, and loved to tell jokes that would catch her family off guard, especially her daughter Sherry.

Norene was a caring and witty person who loved spending time with family, talking on the phone to family members out of town, her dogs, rescue cats, country music, Dolly Parton, following conservative politics, and occasionally playing slots on the boats. She was one of the hardest-working people you will ever know. She would work 6 days a week and, come Sunday, would put on a huge family meal each week without a complaint.

Norene is survived by her brothers John Cochran, Clinton, MO, and Jim Cochran, Kansas City, MO, daughter Sherry McAuliffe of Kansas City, MO, son Jim Johnston, Sarasota, FL, daughter Jackie Fields, Clinton, MO, son Dan Johnston, of the home, seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to NorthCare Hospice House, North Kansas City, Missouri.

A celebration of life for Norene will be held Saturday, January 4th, 1-4 pm at the Elks Lodge, 7010 N Cherry St., Kansas City, MO 64118