Norma Jeisy Pokora

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Norma Jeisy Pokora, 91, a life-long resident of Springfield, passed away Monday, April 3, 2017, at Memorial Medical Center.

Norma was born August 18th, 1925, in Springfield to William Sherman Jeisy and Martha Bartram Jeisy. She married Elmer Paul Pokora (son of John and Theresa Pokora) in 1946 upon his return from naval service in World War II. For many years, Norma worked at home raising three sons: Richard, Ronald and Randal. Upon her husband’s death in 1965, she was employed at Horace Mann Insurance Company, while simultaneously enrolled in the nursing program at Lincoln Land Community College. Upon graduation from the college’s nursing program, she was employed for three years at St. John’s Hospital and then for another three years at Memorial Hospital. For 15 years she worked with Dr. Armando Chiaradonna of Riverton Illinois. Later she served on the nursing staff at St. Joseph’s Home for 35 years, receiving a volunteer spotlight award for 50 years of nursing service. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Coterie, assisting in establishment of a coterie circle and an annual old-fashioned picnic. Volunteering was only part of what she did. Her work was always motivated by compassion for others. She loved helping and caring for people. A slogan and logo now appears on many staff members’ uniforms: “There’s No Place like the Home.” She retired from employment at the home at 80 years of age.

Norma cared deeply for her family. She enjoyed music and loved to sing. She began singing at age 5 at Plymouth Congregational Church, accompanied by her sister, Carolyn Jeisy Graff, and sang until age 18 in the Plymouth choir. She became a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church upon her marital engagement and sang in the church’s choir for nearly 50 years. She studied voice with E. Carl Lundgren to advance her singing ability.

Survivors include her two sons Pastor Richard Pokora (Gwen Livingstone) of Bettendorf, Iowa and Randal of Springfield, who served as her care giver later in life; grandchildren include: Ann Pokora (Aaron Smith), Sarah Pokora (Mark Trushkowsky), Dr. Jonathan Pokora (Carlissa Roloff), Rhiannon Pokora Turley (Terry) and Franklin Pokora (Nici Stroisch); great grandchildren include the son of Ann; Lucas, three daughters of Jonathan; Malin, Isla and Emaline, and the son and daughter of Franklin; Beau and Juline, and Liv Trushkowsky, daughter of Sarah and Mark Trushkowsky. She is also survived by a niece, Helen Elder Jones.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, son Ronald, parents, sisters Mabel Elder (Elmer “Doc”), Mary Kohn (Frederick), Golden Bowen (Ephraim), a brother Wolden, Caroline Graff (Jack), Dorothy and an infant brother, William Henry, collectively known as the “Jeisy Eight.”
Norma remained a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church throughout her adult life.

A graveside service will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery for family and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Springfield. Staab Funeral Home will handle arrangements.