Patricia Johnson

Patricia Johnson, aged 97, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2024, at Thrive of Lake County. Born on October 24, 1926, to August “Gus” and Harriet Olson, Patricia, affectionately known as Pat, spent her formative years in Lake Bluff and was a graduate of Lake Forest High School. She lived in Lake Forest from 1946 to 2018 before moving to Green Oaks Senior Living, and just this year to Thrive. Throughout her life, Pat was actively involved in her community. She was a founding member of the Waukegan YMCA Girls Swimming Classes and served as past president of the Junior Women's Club in Lake Forest. She served as a room mother for each of her six children during their elementary school years. She relished her service to the Lake Forest American Legion, selling Lake Forest Day raffle tickets for many years. Her commitment to service and community was evident in every aspect of her life. Pat’s warm, gregarious attitude defined her life and made everyone who knew her smile. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, where she served as both an Elder and a Deacon. She also served as a hospitality minister for several years. As a skilled knitter who enjoyed creating sweaters for her children and grandchildren, Pat founded the church’s Prayer Shawl Ministry, creating shawls and blankets for people who needed comfort and warmth. Pat frequently threw bridge parties at her home in Lake Forest because she loved to play the game. Her children enjoyed these gatherings because they were able to steal a few pieces of the popular Brach’s Bridge Mix before play commenced. As if caring for her six children wasn’t enough, Pat was also the secretary of the Northern Officials Association, which meant that she had to ensure that officials were scheduled to officiate all of the county’s main sporting events. She also worked at Helanders stationary store in Lake Forest once her six children were in school all day. Later, after all her children left the nest, Pat worked as the secretary at Cherokee School. Pat was predeceased by her loving husband, Edwyn L. “Bo” Johnson; daughter Sheila O'Neill (Mike); brother Donald Olson; sisters Shirley Labellart and Peggy Peters and her friend and partner at Green Oaks, Al Albrecht. She is survived by her children Chuck (Laura) Johnson, Cheryl (Jack) MacCarty, Chris (Jim Maxfield) Johnson, Bruce (Sue) Johnson, and Dave (Debbie Nash) Johnson; son-in-law Mike O’Neill (the late Sheila Johnson O’Neill). She also leaves behind a legacy of 13 grandchildren Katie Johnson (Alex) Coyle, Andy (Kaley) Johnson, Amy Stemphoski (Ken) Friece, Mark (Stephanie) Stemphoski, Kristen Johnson (Greg) Adamo, Kimi Johnson (Bill) Comiskey, Ryan (Becca) Johnson, Alyssa Johnson (Brian) Jones, Brittany Johnson (Bruce) Sopha, Collin (Lauren Meyer) Johnson, Matt (Adrienne) O’Neill, Kevin (Erin) O’Neill, and Tim (Julie) O’Neill; 3 step-grandchildren, Suzanne MacCarty, Jeff (Corinne) MacCarty, and Meghan Ashley Vizcarra; 32 great-grandchildren, 4 step great-grandchildren, as well as her siblings Tom (Betty) Olson and Donna Johnson. Al’s children Mary Albrecht and Steve Albrecht “adopted” Pat as their own and will also miss her. A Memorial Service to celebrate Pat's life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest, 700 N. Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, Illinois. The service will be livestreamed at https://firstchurchlf.online.church/ . A reception at the church will follow the service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Forest American Legion C/O McKinlcok Post Foundation, P.O. Box 264, Lake Forest, IL 60045 or to Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, c/o Lora Nickels, Senior Director, Individual Giving, 1850 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608 https://give.chicagolighthouse.org/campaign/562978/donate. Pat Johnson's life was a testament to her faith, her dedication to her family, and her commitment to service. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. For more information, contact Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors at (847) 234-9649 or www.RTfunerals.com

Patricia Johnson

October 24, 1926 - October 23, 2024