Norma Louise Johnson Darais
1923 - 2014
Early Life: Norma was born on March 1, 1923, to Alben Sivard and Clara Deborah Peterson Johnson in Ogden, Utah. At age four, upon her father's death, Norma's family moved to Los Angeles, California.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: Norma's life path was evenly paved, leading her along to high levels of sustained productivity amid high volumes of sunshine; life's setbacks never deterred her. She graduated from Washington High School in 1941; thereafter, she felt very blessed for spiritual guidance that led her to study food science and nutrition, for which she obtained a degree from UC Santa Barbara. During her studies, she met the handsome Greek artist and poet, Alexander Basil Darais, while on furlough during World War II. He seized every opportunity to win her love and did so speedily. In 1945, after Norma's graduation, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple by the prominent Apostle, John A. Widtsoe, noted university administrator, author, and agriculture expert. Leaving their families behind in California, Norma and Alex moved to Provo, Utah, in 1955, where Alex began his distinguished career as an art professor at Brigham Young University, buttressed by Norma's constant support and child-rearing. Norma taught home economics at a high school in the community and for the Church; always touting the value of the Word of Wisdom, her love for which, had increased early in life through Elder Widtsoe. Norma's gifted expertise in these subjects brought great benefit to her seven children, who experienced a continual abundance of healthy cuisine punctuated with original recipes that became favorites in the home and beyond. There was nothing Norma couldn't can, pickle, nectarize, or fruit-leatherize. Her children wore her handiwork. They felt soul-brightened by the funny and clever forms of her creativity in seasonal garden-gathered decorations, as well. With all of her domestic designs she often would say, 'I love my home and I love being in it!" Many visitors to Norma's home found themselves easily endeared to her upon exposure to her warmth and grace. Norma was always eager to serve the Lord through church service, a highpoint of which came in 1989, when she was called to serve a mission to Greece with her beloved companion, Alex. She, like her husband, delighted in writing verse. Never really meaning to compete with the poetic prowess of his book, Little Bird, she playfully stated that her works would be compiled as "Big Bird!" Norma had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Of all her reading, she most cherished the scriptures, favorites of which she memorized and shared with others and her days began with humble study of the scriptures. She called the gospel, in its entirety, her Pearl of Great Price. For her wholeness and layers of natural strength, whose luster always shone in her countenance, Norma is treasured as her family's Pearl of Great Price. They will miss her profoundly until they are joined together with her again. Norma Louise Johnson Darais departed this life peacefully on Friday, April 4, 2014, embraced by the great love of family members present and distant. She was 91.
Survived By: Her seven children: Norman (Judy), Christopher (Vicki), Marcus (Debbie), Christina (Edwin Oberbeck), Thomas (Suzanne), Andrea, and Damon (Stacey); her younger brother and sister, Charles and Marie; her 22 grandchildren and her 25 great-grandchildren - devoted service to whom was the culmination of her life's work.
Preceded In Death By: Her husband, Alex (on whose birthday she passed); her parents; and her older sister, Leone.
Services: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Location: Pleasant View Ward Chapel | Provo, Utah
Mortuary: Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
Interment: Provo City Cemetery
Obituary: Daily Herald | Provo, Utah | 9 Apr 2014
Bio Compiled By: Annie Duckett Hundley
1923 - 2014
Early Life: Norma was born on March 1, 1923, to Alben Sivard and Clara Deborah Peterson Johnson in Ogden, Utah. At age four, upon her father's death, Norma's family moved to Los Angeles, California.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: Norma's life path was evenly paved, leading her along to high levels of sustained productivity amid high volumes of sunshine; life's setbacks never deterred her. She graduated from Washington High School in 1941; thereafter, she felt very blessed for spiritual guidance that led her to study food science and nutrition, for which she obtained a degree from UC Santa Barbara. During her studies, she met the handsome Greek artist and poet, Alexander Basil Darais, while on furlough during World War II. He seized every opportunity to win her love and did so speedily. In 1945, after Norma's graduation, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple by the prominent Apostle, John A. Widtsoe, noted university administrator, author, and agriculture expert. Leaving their families behind in California, Norma and Alex moved to Provo, Utah, in 1955, where Alex began his distinguished career as an art professor at Brigham Young University, buttressed by Norma's constant support and child-rearing. Norma taught home economics at a high school in the community and for the Church; always touting the value of the Word of Wisdom, her love for which, had increased early in life through Elder Widtsoe. Norma's gifted expertise in these subjects brought great benefit to her seven children, who experienced a continual abundance of healthy cuisine punctuated with original recipes that became favorites in the home and beyond. There was nothing Norma couldn't can, pickle, nectarize, or fruit-leatherize. Her children wore her handiwork. They felt soul-brightened by the funny and clever forms of her creativity in seasonal garden-gathered decorations, as well. With all of her domestic designs she often would say, 'I love my home and I love being in it!" Many visitors to Norma's home found themselves easily endeared to her upon exposure to her warmth and grace. Norma was always eager to serve the Lord through church service, a highpoint of which came in 1989, when she was called to serve a mission to Greece with her beloved companion, Alex. She, like her husband, delighted in writing verse. Never really meaning to compete with the poetic prowess of his book, Little Bird, she playfully stated that her works would be compiled as "Big Bird!" Norma had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Of all her reading, she most cherished the scriptures, favorites of which she memorized and shared with others and her days began with humble study of the scriptures. She called the gospel, in its entirety, her Pearl of Great Price. For her wholeness and layers of natural strength, whose luster always shone in her countenance, Norma is treasured as her family's Pearl of Great Price. They will miss her profoundly until they are joined together with her again. Norma Louise Johnson Darais departed this life peacefully on Friday, April 4, 2014, embraced by the great love of family members present and distant. She was 91.
Survived By: Her seven children: Norman (Judy), Christopher (Vicki), Marcus (Debbie), Christina (Edwin Oberbeck), Thomas (Suzanne), Andrea, and Damon (Stacey); her younger brother and sister, Charles and Marie; her 22 grandchildren and her 25 great-grandchildren - devoted service to whom was the culmination of her life's work.
Preceded In Death By: Her husband, Alex (on whose birthday she passed); her parents; and her older sister, Leone.
Services: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Location: Pleasant View Ward Chapel | Provo, Utah
Mortuary: Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
Interment: Provo City Cemetery
Obituary: Daily Herald | Provo, Utah | 9 Apr 2014
Bio Compiled By: Annie Duckett Hundley
Norma Louise Johnson Darais
1923 - 2014
Early Life: Norma was born on March 1, 1923, to Alben Sivard and Clara Deborah Peterson Johnson in Ogden, Utah. At age four, upon her father's death, Norma's family moved to Los Angeles, California.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: Norma's life path was evenly paved, leading her along to high levels of sustained productivity amid high volumes of sunshine; life's setbacks never deterred her. She graduated from Washington High School in 1941; thereafter, she felt very blessed for spiritual guidance that led her to study food science and nutrition, for which she obtained a degree from UC Santa Barbara. During her studies, she met the handsome Greek artist and poet, Alexander Basil Darais, while on furlough during World War II. He seized every opportunity to win her love and did so speedily. In 1945, after Norma's graduation, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple by the prominent Apostle, John A. Widtsoe, noted university administrator, author, and agriculture expert. Leaving their families behind in California, Norma and Alex moved to Provo, Utah, in 1955, where Alex began his distinguished career as an art professor at Brigham Young University, buttressed by Norma's constant support and child-rearing. Norma taught home economics at a high school in the community and for the Church; always touting the value of the Word of Wisdom, her love for which, had increased early in life through Elder Widtsoe. Norma's gifted expertise in these subjects brought great benefit to her seven children, who experienced a continual abundance of healthy cuisine punctuated with original recipes that became favorites in the home and beyond. There was nothing Norma couldn't can, pickle, nectarize, or fruit-leatherize. Her children wore her handiwork. They felt soul-brightened by the funny and clever forms of her creativity in seasonal garden-gathered decorations, as well. With all of her domestic designs she often would say, 'I love my home and I love being in it!" Many visitors to Norma's home found themselves easily endeared to her upon exposure to her warmth and grace. Norma was always eager to serve the Lord through church service, a highpoint of which came in 1989, when she was called to serve a mission to Greece with her beloved companion, Alex. She, like her husband, delighted in writing verse. Never really meaning to compete with the poetic prowess of his book, Little Bird, she playfully stated that her works would be compiled as "Big Bird!" Norma had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Of all her reading, she most cherished the scriptures, favorites of which she memorized and shared with others and her days began with humble study of the scriptures. She called the gospel, in its entirety, her Pearl of Great Price. For her wholeness and layers of natural strength, whose luster always shone in her countenance, Norma is treasured as her family's Pearl of Great Price. They will miss her profoundly until they are joined together with her again. Norma Louise Johnson Darais departed this life peacefully on Friday, April 4, 2014, embraced by the great love of family members present and distant. She was 91.
Survived By: Her seven children: Norman (Judy), Christopher (Vicki), Marcus (Debbie), Christina (Edwin Oberbeck), Thomas (Suzanne), Andrea, and Damon (Stacey); her younger brother and sister, Charles and Marie; her 22 grandchildren and her 25 great-grandchildren - devoted service to whom was the culmination of her life's work.
Preceded In Death By: Her husband, Alex (on whose birthday she passed); her parents; and her older sister, Leone.
Services: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Location: Pleasant View Ward Chapel | Provo, Utah
Mortuary: Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
Interment: Provo City Cemetery
Obituary: Daily Herald | Provo, Utah | 9 Apr 2014
Bio Compiled By: Annie Duckett Hundley
1923 - 2014
Early Life: Norma was born on March 1, 1923, to Alben Sivard and Clara Deborah Peterson Johnson in Ogden, Utah. At age four, upon her father's death, Norma's family moved to Los Angeles, California.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: Norma's life path was evenly paved, leading her along to high levels of sustained productivity amid high volumes of sunshine; life's setbacks never deterred her. She graduated from Washington High School in 1941; thereafter, she felt very blessed for spiritual guidance that led her to study food science and nutrition, for which she obtained a degree from UC Santa Barbara. During her studies, she met the handsome Greek artist and poet, Alexander Basil Darais, while on furlough during World War II. He seized every opportunity to win her love and did so speedily. In 1945, after Norma's graduation, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple by the prominent Apostle, John A. Widtsoe, noted university administrator, author, and agriculture expert. Leaving their families behind in California, Norma and Alex moved to Provo, Utah, in 1955, where Alex began his distinguished career as an art professor at Brigham Young University, buttressed by Norma's constant support and child-rearing. Norma taught home economics at a high school in the community and for the Church; always touting the value of the Word of Wisdom, her love for which, had increased early in life through Elder Widtsoe. Norma's gifted expertise in these subjects brought great benefit to her seven children, who experienced a continual abundance of healthy cuisine punctuated with original recipes that became favorites in the home and beyond. There was nothing Norma couldn't can, pickle, nectarize, or fruit-leatherize. Her children wore her handiwork. They felt soul-brightened by the funny and clever forms of her creativity in seasonal garden-gathered decorations, as well. With all of her domestic designs she often would say, 'I love my home and I love being in it!" Many visitors to Norma's home found themselves easily endeared to her upon exposure to her warmth and grace. Norma was always eager to serve the Lord through church service, a highpoint of which came in 1989, when she was called to serve a mission to Greece with her beloved companion, Alex. She, like her husband, delighted in writing verse. Never really meaning to compete with the poetic prowess of his book, Little Bird, she playfully stated that her works would be compiled as "Big Bird!" Norma had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Of all her reading, she most cherished the scriptures, favorites of which she memorized and shared with others and her days began with humble study of the scriptures. She called the gospel, in its entirety, her Pearl of Great Price. For her wholeness and layers of natural strength, whose luster always shone in her countenance, Norma is treasured as her family's Pearl of Great Price. They will miss her profoundly until they are joined together with her again. Norma Louise Johnson Darais departed this life peacefully on Friday, April 4, 2014, embraced by the great love of family members present and distant. She was 91.
Survived By: Her seven children: Norman (Judy), Christopher (Vicki), Marcus (Debbie), Christina (Edwin Oberbeck), Thomas (Suzanne), Andrea, and Damon (Stacey); her younger brother and sister, Charles and Marie; her 22 grandchildren and her 25 great-grandchildren - devoted service to whom was the culmination of her life's work.
Preceded In Death By: Her husband, Alex (on whose birthday she passed); her parents; and her older sister, Leone.
Services: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Location: Pleasant View Ward Chapel | Provo, Utah
Mortuary: Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
Interment: Provo City Cemetery
Obituary: Daily Herald | Provo, Utah | 9 Apr 2014
Bio Compiled By: Annie Duckett Hundley
Gravesite Details
Interment 12 Apr 2014
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