Sydney A. Johnson

BESSEMER, Mich. - Sydney A. Johnson, 84, of Bessemer, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on the evening of Jan. 19, 2023. She was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on Sept. 17, 1938, to the late Bee and Agnes (Brown) Morgan.

Sydney was a talented folk artist. She would take walks in the desert, on the lakeshore, or even in parking lots to collect interesting pieces of metal and "what-not" to incorporate in her artworks. She would see the potential in the smallest piece of rusted metal or large pieces of driftwood. She was also an incredible painter, and when she wasn't painting, she was drawing.

She especially enjoyed reading a variety of authors and accumulated thousands of books. She loved having a book in her hand and turning the pages. She also maintained a daily journal and jotted down cute little stories about her days, travels, and what her various family members were up to any given day or time of year.

Sydney had a passion for learning and enjoyed school. She went back to college in her 50s as a non-traditional student. She tried to learn something new every day and encouraged her family to do the same. She retired early from nursing, but worked throughout her career in critical care, emergency, cardiac care, and finished her career at an orthopedic doctor's office.

Sydney traveled many roads in her life and explored many passions. She especially loved her annual trips to Alamogordo, New Mexico, with her husband. She could be silly with her kids and amazingly stubborn with some of her opinions but was also open to debate, but truly loved her family and would give them all she had.

As we sit here and write this, it dawns on us that a few paragraphs will never be enough to describe the life that she lead. We will miss her greatly, but it gives us peace to know she is in a better place with her husband and son, reunited without pain and discomfort. We will keep her memory warm in our hearts and as I (Angie) continue to yell out the play-by-play for our shared favorite golfers and football teams, I know she will be listening somewhere.

She is survived by three children. She shared a love of all things art with her eldest son, Shane (Sheila) Johnson. They had many lively conversations about art, history, technique, different mediums, as well as their current projects. She loved seeing the pictures of all his works. Sydney had many spirited conversations with her loving and oldest daughter, Valerie (Johnnie) Nordstrom Day regarding current affairs, politics, and life in general. They enjoyed a passion for reading and enjoyed many different genres. Sydney shared a mutual love of golf, football, tennis and other sports with her youngest daughter, Angela (Kelly) Inglis. Together, they enjoyed many other activities, including reading, day trips to the lake, and casino visits. She was grateful to be able to share a home with Angela and Kelly after the loss of her husband and son. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, several cousins, and extended family. She had a close relationship with her nephew, Paul and his wife, Cathy Butcher; and sister-in-law, Mary Morgan.

Sydney was preceded in death by her husband, Robert T. Johnson; and her son, Robert T. Johnson, Jr .; her parents, Agnes and Bee Morgan; her sisters, Katherine, Betty and Lois; and her brother, Bob Morgan.

A special thanks to Valerie Nordstrom Day for her loving care and support, it truly meant the world to Mom. Thank you to the wonderful people at Regional Hospice.

Per Sydney's wishes, her family will hold a celebration of life this summer.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Sydney's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood to honor Sydney's legacy of life.