Norma Mae Johnson

When you were born

The world hummed

Its everyday tune

Of footsteps and voices,

Engines and bells,

But here

In our home,

Our souls sang with joy.

Diana Hutts Aston

Norma Mae Johnson, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother died on April 22, 2009, peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. Her husband, Palmer Johnson, passed away this past September.

Norma was born on May 12, 1925, in Thurman, Iowa. She was raised by her parents, Roland and Alice Steele with brothers Marty and David.

At the age of 12, Norma came to California to live. At 16 she met the love of her life, Palmer, on a blind date. They married on September 6, 1942, in Hollywood and lived in Burbank. After the war, they moved to Puget Island where Palmer was born and raised, to raise their two daughters, Julie and Toni (deceased 1977). Palmer and Norma returned to Southern California in 1961 eventually settling in Ventura County. Norma worked as a hairdresser for many years and attended church regularly.

Norma was an avid lover of ballroom dancing, movies, books and was an excellent pastel artist. She entertained our hearts in the same way her brush stroked across the canvas.

She will be forever missed by her family, and the many lived touched by her positive influence and kindness.

She will be greatly missed by her daughter Julie, son-in-law David Prince; grandchildren Wendy (Scott McDougall), Tammy (Paul Anthony), Chad Fey (Rene Creamer) and great-grandchildren Kaley, Ashlee, Samuel, Taylor and Caleb.