Norma J. Lovell, age 92 of Bradley, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Visitation will be held from 4 pm-7pm on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Clancy Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at St. Joseph Church in Bradley. Entombment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum in Bourbonnais. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Clyde Dayhoff, the entire team at Uplifted Care Hospice and St. Joe’s Fr. Marcin for their compassionate care during Norma’s final days.
Norma was born on January 16, 1934, in Flanagan, IL, the daughter of Neil and Thelma (Whalen) Carroll. Norma and her sister, Jean, grew up in Cabery where her parents ran the local general store. Norma graduated from Tri Point (Cabery) H.S. and married the great love of her life, Paul D. Lovell on April 21,1951 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cabery. He preceded her in death on December 21, 2012.
Norma and Paul settled in Bradley raising their four children, becoming dedicated members of St. Joseph Parish and establishing and expanding their own business, The Lovell Companies. Norma and Paul were inseparable partners in all of these endeavors. Norma’s life revolved around her family and her faith. The welcome mat was always out on Holly Ct. and St. Joe’s was her second home.
Over the years Norma served in many capacities at both the church and the school. She held a number of leadership positions in the CCW, worked the annual parish picnics, and was a longtime member of the funeral hospitality team. Norma preferred working behind the scenes and could be counted on to bake bread for First Communion, iron robes for Confirmation and stuff endless batches of church mailings. From 2009 to 2025 Norman was part of the Monday morning team that counted weekly
Sunday collections.
In 2016 Norma was recognized as St. Joseph’s Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Never comfortable in the spotlight, she felt her efforts were simply a way of showing gratitude for all God’s blessings. A strong believer in the power of prayer, Norma kept a running list of family and friends facing personal and health challenges and prayed daily for each one.
Norma leaves a legacy of love and compassion for all who were touched by her kindness. Norma will also be remembered for unmatched skill as a seamstress, her uncanny ability to remember every birthday, anniversary, holidays and graduation with a greeting card, a number of epic vacations with Paul and the happy times at their winter home in Florida.
Surviving are one son, Patrick (Anita) Lovell of Bradley; three daughters, Linda (Michael) Jones of Champaign, Chris Buckner and Karen Raymore of Bradley; six grandchildren, Stacey Buckner (Ron Kwansman), Ryan (Ashley) Buckner, Christopher (Anna) Jones, Kevin (Elyse) Lovell, Ashley (Tyler) Birmingham, and Matthew Lovell; seven great grandchildren, Addie, Holly, Elora, Olivia, Evelyn, Gracie and Dean.
Norma is also survived by an extended family of nieces, nephews and their spouses who have viewed Aunt Norma as the matriarch of the Lambert and Golowski families. Norma is preceded in death by her husband Paul; her parents; one sister, Jean Branscum; two son-in-laws, Paul Raymore, and James Buckner and one great-granddaughter, Sadie Buckner.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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