Nora Garvey Yoshimura

Nora Garvey Yoshimura passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 16th. Nora is survived by three children - Joseph Edwin Swain (Gail Knox), Albert Kunio Yoshimura Jr (Oksana Chrystyna Yoshimura), and Valerie Nao Yoshimura (William Shay); her grandchildren Laura (Lucas) Domercq (Brandon Domercq), Lisa (Lucas) Schiefelbein (Scott Schiefelbein), William Albert Shay, Vivian Leilani Shay, and Albert Kunio Yoshimura III ("Kai"); her great grandchildren Dylan James Domercq, Jase Daniel Domercq, Cole Schiefelbein, and Grayson Schiefelbein; and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert Kunio Yoshimura, her daughter Mary Swain Lucas (George Lucas), her sister Mary Garvey Day (George Day), her mother Mary Kennedy Garvey and her father William Garvey.
Nora was known for her outgoing personality, her love for her family and friends, and her drive to succeed. Born to Irish immigrants during the Great Depression, she grew up on the north side of Chicago, graduating from Amundsen High School while working as a grocery checker six days a week. She had two children, Joey and Mary, from her first marriage, and was introduced to her second husband Al by a close friend and coworker. They were married on August 5th, 1961, had two children, Albert Jr. and Valerie, and were happily married for 39 years until Al passed away in 2000.
Nora had a career at the Retail Clerks union where she ran the claims department, but eventually moved into sales, which allowed her to work nights and weekends while her husband was home to watch the kids. Her friendly and outgoing personality, coupled with a sharp intellect and a keen business sense, allowed her to enjoy great success in this field.
She loved traveling, and visited Europe, Mexico, much of the continental US, and Hawaii, where she became Aunty Nora to many of Al's relatives there. She also loved bingo, and would regularly be on road trips to local bingo events and the occasional trip to Las Vegas. She was an active member of the Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church and sang in their choir. Most of all, she loved her children and family very much, and was excited to connect recently via DNA testing with several long-lost relatives.
Visitation Friday, October 21st, 2022 from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Muzyka & Son Funeral Home, 5776 W. Lawrence, Chicago, IL 60630 with a Funeral Service at 6:45 p.m. A private interment will take place at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, IL at a later date. For more information, please call (773) 545-3800.