RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF SANDRA JOHNSON
WHEREAS, Sandra A. Johnson, loving mother, wife, and local columnist, transitioned into eternal rest on March 30, 2023; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Sandra's passing by the Honorable Emma Mitts, Alderman of the 37th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Sandra was born on December 21, 1938 in Chicago - the sixth of seven children born to Gunzie and Doris Nelms; and
WHEREAS, Graduating from Christen Fenger High School, Sandra worked as a keypunch operator for the Social Security Administration and later at the Railroad Retirement Board; and
WHEREAS, On June 15, 1962, Sandra was united in holy matrimony to Philander Johnson and to their union Lisa, David, and Marc were born; and
WHEREAS, After several years as a stay-at-home mom, Sandra returned to school and received her Associate of Arts degree from Malcolm X College and found work in various positions with the Chicago Public Library, including managing the circulation desk at the Chinatown Library, working as a receptionist at the Harold Washington Library, and serving as a tutor in the Adult Literacy and GED Department at Lenger Library before she retired from the Chicago Public Library in 1999; and
WHEREAS, During her retirement, Sandra continued to serve the community by tutoring both students and adults in reading skills and pursued writing as a vocation, publishing in the Neighborhood News Austin community newsletter and in the Seniors on the Move newsletter; her essays appeared in Ebony Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times, and she became a regular columnist for the Austin Weekly News; and
WHEREAS, In addition to writing, Sandra loved swimming, listening to jazz, and taking care of her family, whom she cherished with all her heart; Sandra especially loved hosting unique parties at her home, which have been fondly remembered for decades afterwards; and
WHEREAS, An active member of her community, Sandra was a member of the Eastern Star, West Side chapter of the Chicago League of Women Voters and of the Chicago YWCA West Side Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, Sandra was preceded in death by her siblings, Clarence, William, Gunzie Jr., Hilliard, Garaldine Lucas, and Shirley Williams; and her daughter, Stephanie; she is survived by her children, nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends; and
WHEREAS, Sandra will be remembered for her kindness, compassion, understanding and an open ear for everyone, and will be sorely missed by all who knew her; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-fourth day of May, 2023, do hereby honor the life and legacy of Sandra A. Johnson; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Sandra A. Johnson as a sign of our honor and respect.