Betty Jean Johnson, a Bridgeview native who raised five children while building a three-decade career as an executive assistant and earned a reputation as a “neighborhood mom” to countless families, died April 28, 2026, in Joliet, Illinois. She was 79.
Mrs. Johnson was born January 18, 1947, in Chicago and was raised in Bridgeview. She was a 1965 graduate of Argo Community High School.
She spent 32 years as an executive assistant at United States Cold Storage, where she was known for her professionalism, reliability and the lifelong friendships she formed with colleagues.
But her greatest pride was her family. She is survived by five children: Kimberly Johnson; Daniel Johnson; David Johnson; Kevin Johnson; and Andrew Johnson. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Heather Cancino and Alessandra Johnson; two great-grandchildren, Vince and Lily; her sister, Patricia Mora; her brother, Peter Dolce; and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.
She was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Sergio Mora.
Mrs. Johnson was known for opening her home and heart to neighborhood children over the years. She expressed her love through cooking, and her meals brought people together and created lasting memories, her family said.
A visitation and celebration of life will be held Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 South 88th Avenue, Justice, Illinois. A service and time of remembrance will be held at 6:30 p.m.
Cremation rites will be accorded.