NORMA FARLEY

Norma Farley, age 97, of Aurora, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love and prayers of her family, Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

She was born April 11, 1925, in Maple Park, IL, to loving parents, Harry and Freda Johnson.

Norma grew up in Maple Park and attended local schools. It was there that she found her best friend Lois Bower Shaw and spent summers with her favorite cousin Marion DeVries, in Chicago, alternating between the city and the farm and making as much mischief as memories. She graduated as the Salutatorian from Kaneville High School with the class 1942.

On March 8, 1945, Norma married Francis Farley in a double ceremony with Donald Wright and Jeannette, Francis’ sister, at the Kaneville United Methodist Church. Two days later, they both were in another wedding, this time celebrating the union of her best friend Lois and Leon Shaw.  

10 quick days later, Francis left for Germany to serve in the United States Army during WW II until his honorable discharge in May of 1946. Upon returning to civilian life, he and Norma took a delayed honeymoon before coming home where Francis helped his father Lewis farm the Blatner Farm on Owens Road near Kaneville following Lewis’s heart attack that same year. Lewis eventually moved back to Kaneville and so Francis and Norma moved to the Blatner Farm and continued to work the soil until March of 1954.

That same month Francis and Norma rented one of the Alexander farms on Galena Blvd. near Aurora where they raised cattle. Norma would love to tag along with Francis on his cattle buying trips to Montana. In 1985, Francis and Norma purchased land near the farm and built their home on Prairie Rd. in Aurora.

She was a lifelong member and pianist for Kaneville United Methodist Church and taught piano to countless children, sharing a love of music that speaks to the heart. 

In a time honored tradition, Norma and Francis were members of a card club that met monthly for nearly 40 years. They both also were known for the pranks played on friends and neighbors, but all bets were off when it came to the kind of mischief they created every Halloween. Known as the “Egg Lady”, Norma raised chickens, sold and delivered eggs to neighbors throughout the community. Many vacations were taken as a family out west and to Wisconsin. In later years, they fled the cold Midwest for the warmer weather and picturesque vistas of both Arizona and Hawaii. Norma and Francis also saw the world during many cruises to destinations including Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Russia. Farm tours also sent them to Europe, Germany, Belgium, Holland, France and Switzerland. No matter how far she travelled, there was no place like home, and no better place to be than with family.

She now leaves her loving children: Robert (Virginia) Farley, Beth (Dr. Michael) Marzec and Diane (Mike Wysocki) Farley; three grandchildren: Brooke Bauer, Alissa (Jeff) Hem and Michelle (Greg) Rowlee, Eric (Michelle) Jones and Mark (Crystal) Jones; 12 great-grandchildren: Elliott, Greta, Hudson, Isaac, Hannah, Molly, Sophia, Liam, Evan, Audrey, Valerie and Jackson; many cousins and a countryside full of friends.

She now is reunited with Francis, her parents: Harry and Freda Johnson; two sisters who died in infancy.

Visitation will be Saturday, June 25, at the Kaneville United Methodist Church, Kaneville, from 11-1 p.m., with a funeral service to celebrate her faith at 1:30 p.m.  Rev. Nancy Blade, pastor of the church, will officiate with interment to follow at Kaneville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kaneville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 50 Kaneville, IL 60144. Memories and tributes may be forwarded to the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.