Norma Romaine Johnson Barnes Sweeney passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at her home in Thousand Oaks, CA. She was 83 years young and her life was cut short from a lengthy battle with dementia.
She was born in Wood County Ohio on July 23, 1938, to Forrest (Curly) and Eloise Marie Sander Johnson and was raised in Bellefontaine. She was the second of six children. She was the 1955 BHS homecoming queen before graduating, moving to Columbus, and starting a long career in the travel industry; first as a flight attendant with TWA, then as a travel agent with various agencies in Southern California.
Norma had two daughters, Karen Marie Barnes and Sandy Lindsay (Barnes) Holloway, with her first husband, Lew Barnes, and they raised the girls in Pacific Palisades, CA. The family was very active with the Palisades Presbyterian Church for many years. Norma returned to Ohio in 2002 to lovingly care for her mother until Eloise’s death in 2007. During that time, she was an active member of The First Lutheran Church where she had been confirmed years ago. She then married Bud Sweeney, her high school sweetheart, and they spent the last 13 years together in Thousand Oaks, CA.
She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and 4 of her 5 siblings. They are: Valerie (Charles dec.) Cost, Painesville; Michael (Sally Howell) Johnson, Ashburn VA; James (Suzie Turner) Johnson, West Liberty; Mary Lou (Richard) Heath, Lima, Ohio; and sister-in-law Connie Kay Abbott Johnson, Bellefontaine. A brother, Donald Lee Johnson preceded her in death in December 2020. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Norma’s passions were traveling the world and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed reading, gardening, dancing and walking on the beach.
Words cannot express how much Norma will be missed by all that had the pleasure to know her. She was a kind hearted, smart, successful woman with a quick wit and a constant smile. Rest In Peace Norma for you had a life well lived.
There are no services scheduled at this time. If you would like to honor Norma’s life, please consider a contribution to Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).