Louise M Modir

Louise Madeleine (Johnson) Modir, 77, died at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA, on December 22, 2020. She was a dedicated wife, mother, and nurse who touched the world with her compassion and curiosity.

Louise was born on April 15, 1942, in Oak Park, IL, and grew up in nearby Melrose Park. In high school, she served as a page at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, where she once met President Eisenhower. After graduating from Proviso West High School in 1960, she attended Loyola College for nursing school.

While serving as a student nurse at Columbia Hospital in Lincoln Park, she met a young Iranian immigrant on the steps. As soon as they began dating, she knew she was going to marry him — and her prediction rang true three years later, on July 31, 1966. She and Kamal would remain together for the next five decades.

In 1969, the couple moved to Rockford, I.L, where Louise put her career on hold to raise four rambunctious kids. She remained involved in the community: teaching nursing and founding a branch of CAPS, a mental health organization, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Belvidere; serving as the president of Rockford’s medical auxiliary; volunteering at her children’s schools; and attending countless football games, swim meets, and art exhibitions.

In the ‘80s, Louise returned to psychiatric nursing, working at Rockford Memorial Hospital, Mathers Clinic, and Oak Brook Hospital. She continued her psychology education, too, receiving her bachelor’s from the College of St. Francis, her master’s from Regis University, and her PsyD from Cal State. She was inquisitive and driven, eager to better understand her patients, and always seeking to learn and grow.

Louise’s career choice was a reflection of her personality: kind, caring, and giving. She was introverted, preferring playing the piano, painting, or exercising over big nights out. Yet, though she was responsible and reserved, she had a surprisingly independent streak. She didn’t let anything stand in the way of adventure, be it taking karate lessons, learning to fly an airplane, hiking in Colorado, studying Buddhism, or traveling to Alaska and Antarctica.

If there’s one thing Louise will be remembered for, however, it is her devotion to her family. Whether it was teaching her in-laws English or managing her rowdy brood, she was always there for them; always guiding them in her gentle and nurturing way. She was the solid ground her family was built on, the samanu that held them together in times both good and bad — and the best moments of her life were spent with them, surrounded by the love and laughter she had created.

Louise is predeceased by her parents Eve Marie (Wismontas) Jarboe and Perry Martin Johnson. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Kamal Modir, MD, of Rockford; her sister, Patricia Jarmon, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; her children Jeffrey Modir of Rockford; James Modir, MD, (Jessica) of San Diego, CA; Shari Modir, PharmD, of Madison, WI; and Shahla Modir, MD, of Manhattan Beach, CA; and her grandchildren Iona and Shane McGregor, and Jazmyn and Jaydah Modir.

Services will be held on January 30th at Noon at Chapel Hill Gardens West, 17 W. 201 Roosevelt Rd., Oakbrook Terrace, I.L. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes in-memoriam donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org).