Norma Mitchell Hoaglund

Norma Mitchell Hoaglund, caregiver and connector of people, passed away on September 25th, 2022.

Norma was a vibrant, energetic and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend who spent her life helping people. When Norma walked into a party - which she loved to do - she often wondered how to sufficiently spend time with each and every guest, while her husband Bob sagely advised her to start saying her goodbyes to have any chance of eventually getting home. Norma’s big smile, southern accent (which grew stronger when she wanted something) and genuine interest in people placed her naturally at the center of the party or, indeed, anywhere she went.

Norma was born in 1941 in the small, southern town of Owensboro, Kentucky - daughter of John and Eileen Mitchell and sister of four rambunctious brothers: Pat, Steve, Larry and Billy. Even at an early age, Norma was the glue of her family and was deeply committed to connecting family members, bridging gaps when necessary and holding the family together regardless of where they lived. Like her brothers, Norma was committed to moving beyond Owensboro and went to St. Louis to study nursing and thereafter to the Chicago area to work and start her family.

Hard-working and naturally driven, Norma went on to obtain a master’s degree in nursing at Loyola University in Chicago while working full-time and raising two children, Bradford and Maura. Norma fiercely protected and cared for her children while providing them with a wonderful, loving home and childhood. Later, she would become a fun-loving and adventurous grandmother who was adored by her seven grandchildren. And while she would never for one moment consider herself a feminist, she demonstrated vision and determination in her career, rising from nurse to the role of President of Glenbrook Hospital - the only nurse in the Northshore system to ever be appointed a hospital President. While her nurse friends sometimes teased her that she had gone to the “dark side” of management, Norma saw this another opportunity to bind people together and she worked tirelessly to raise standards of care for both patients and staff.

In 1993, Norma married the love of her life, Bob Hoaglund, who perfectly balanced her and gave her so much happiness and joy during their time together. Under Bob’s tutelage, Norma quickly took on new sporting endeavors, excelling at golf, fishing and cave diving. While Bob worked on his (and her) swing, Norma mostly saw these sports as opportunities to meet, connect and socialize with friends at Knollwood, Mediterra and beyond. When she retired from Glenbrook in 1998, she remained actively involved in health care, helping to guide family and friends through the confusing and at times frightening health care system. During such times, she always recognized and empathized with the human condition and offered compassion and sage advice.

For, at her core, Norma was a genuine caregiver and connector of people – a true nurse who saw the best in everyone and who demonstrated genuine empathy and interest in others. And while she loved hosting or attending parties, what she mostly saw when she did was a gathering of interesting, fascinating people who each had a story and who deserved her care and attention. The week that Norma passed was, in many ways, typical in this respect – full of social engagements, parties and opportunities to meet and care for those whom she loved, and for those who will deeply miss her.

On Saturday, October 1st, the family held a private funeral service for Norma at St. Patrick’s Church in Lake Forest. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Passionist Nuns in Norma’s hometown of Owensboro, Kentucky (www.passionistnuns.org/donate). Info: Wenban Funeral Home, www.wenbanfh.com or (847)234-0022.