Norma Jeanee Johnson

When Norma was born very prematurely on January 12, 1927, in Hollywood, CA, the doctor who delivered her advised her mother to not become too attached her since she might not survive. But, survive she did for 89 years plus.

During her long life she was a brilliant student, an inspired and inspiring teacher, a dedicated citizen, and a person of impeccable character with an unlimited capacity for loving. Most of all, she was a wonderful wife and mother.

She met her future husband, Bob Johnson, in 7th grade at John Burroughs Junior High School in Burbank in 1939. They both graduated from Burbank High School in 1945. In 1948 they were joined in an idyllic marriage lasting more than 68 years.

Norma and Bob both graduated from Occidental College in 1951, and she went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Redlands. She began her teaching career at Culver City Junior High School in 1951. She left teaching after four years to raise her two daughters. She returned to teaching in 1971 at Jordan Junior High School in Burbank, where the family lived until she retired from public school teaching in 1985.

After she and Bob moved to Dana Point, she taught another nine years at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Middle School in San Juan Capistrano. Throughout her career, she was much loved and respected by her students and colleaues, as well as she was by all those who were fortunate enough to know her.

Two of the most joyful occasions of her life were the births of her two grandsons, whom she adored. She and Bob moved to Ventura in 2001 to be close to the boys as they grew up.

Sadly, her last few years were marred by an increasing descent into dementia, depriving her of her memory and her brilliance. She died on July 24th peacefully under hospice care. She is survived by her husband Bob, her daughters Valerie Johnson and Victoria Costigan, her son-in-law Carl Costigan, and her beloved grandsons Robert and Will Costigan.

Arrangements under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura, CA.