Norma was born on March 13, 1929, the third of four daughters, to Herb and Josephine (nee Pellanda) Deary in Spokane, WA. The family moved to Buckley, WA, where Norma showed her moxie early on, starting part-time work at age 14 for the local bank, and later, attending White River High School, where she graduated in 1946 as class valedictorian.
Norma enrolled in Washington State College (now WSU), and like her three sisters, she majored in Pharmacy. It was in Pullman that Norma met her husband, Harry T. Johnson, a WWII veteran majoring in engineering. They were married on December 22, 1951, and after graduating in 1952, they moved to Seattle, WA to start a family. After the birth of their first child, the couple moved to Aberdeen, WA, where their other five children were born.
In addition to raising her children, Norma worked regularly as a pharmacist in Aberdeen, while Harry ran a general contracting business. In 1968, the family relocated to Olympia, WA, where Norma continued to work at local pharmacies until retiring in 1991.
Norma and Harry were active in the Catholic Church, attending services at St. Mary’s in Aberdeen and St. Michael’s Church in Olympia. In 1983, they had the opportunity to travel to Europe, with visits to Notre Dame, Lourdes, and the Basilica of St. Francis Assisi, and in Rome, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican, and St. Peter’s Square, and an audience with Pope John Paul II.
In 1992, Norma and Harry established the Deary Sisters Scholarship at WSU to honor Norma and her three sisters, all of whom graduated with degrees in pharmacy and had successful careers in the profession.
After her husband’s passing in 2000, Norma continued to live in the house they built together at Indian Summer golf course, where the back lawn led down to the pond next to the green on the second hole. Norma enjoyed sitting at her kitchen table, where she could do her crossword puzzles and watch the ducks and other wildlife. She also enjoyed reading (especially mysteries), playing computer games, and helping with the care of her grandchildren. Her greatest joy, however, was maintaining a beautiful home which was for many years the focal point of innumerable family gatherings, large and small.
In 2015, Norma moved to Bonaventure of Lacey, WA, and in 2018, she moved to Callahan House in Shoreline, WA, where she resided at the time of her death. As she faced the challenges that come with change and the moves that resulted, Norma always maintained a wonderful sense of humor and positive outlook, and her kindness and caring attitude were reflected in the admiration and affection her caregivers had for her.
Norma was preceded in death by Harry, her husband of forty-nine years, and two sisters, Marita Wahle, and Peggy Nixon.
Norma is survived by her children, Randy (Lea) Johnson, Lindy (Trim) Smith, Don (Louisa) Johnson, Laurie (Kelly) Corr, Lisa (Mary Pat O’Donnell) Johnson, and Patty (Bryan) Cummings; nine grandchildren, Stephanie Smith, Corey (Lindsey) Smith, Stephen Johnson, Elizabeth (Robbie) Phelps, Erin (Jon) Nigro, Riley (Dee Vichi) Corr, Kalvin Johnson, Courtney Cummings, and Chris Cummings; and five great-grandchildren, Kyle Smith; Penelope Smith, Kaylee Smith, Theodore Smith, and Jackson Nigro.
Norma is also survived by her sister, Mary Jo Minor of Meridian, ID.
Norma will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends.
A funeral service will be held May 28, 2024, at 12 PM, at St. Michael Church, 1055 Boundary St. SE, Olympia, WA, with interment to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 3850 Cleveland Ave SE, Tumwater, WA 98501.
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