Naomi Ruth Meyer

Naomi was born 88 years ago on September 23, 1926 on the family farm in Vancouver, Washington which was owned by Naomi’s grandparents.  Her father, Earl Slack and her mother Laverta had traveled the Columbia River by steamboat just three weeks before her birth from the John Day area. She was delivered by the local veterinarian and her parents named her Naomi Ruth. She had 3 brothers and three sisters- James, Robert, Willis, Laverle, Juanita and Barbara. She is survived by two of her brothers, Robert and Willis.

For most of her early years, Naomi lived in Tootle, Washington. After the beginning of World War II, her family sold their house in Toutle. She completed her sophomore year in Toutle and then went to live with her eldest sister in California.  After a few months, Naomi was homesick, so she moved back to Vancouver where her family had relocated.  It was already 3 weeks into the school year and because of the late start, she was unable to get into the typing, shorthand and bookkeeping classes she wanted to take, so she moved to Portland to attend Roosevelt High School where she was a star on the track team.  In Portland, Naomi lived with a family in exchange for watching their young son. The Portland School District soon found out that Naomi’s parents lived in Vancouver, so she was charged tuition to attend Roosevelt. She then took a job after school at a grocery store to help cover the costs of her tuition.

After completing high school, Naomi remained in the Portland area.  She roomed with girlfriends in a variety of houses.  Many of Naomi’s roommates were Catholic and she began to attend Holy Cross Catholic Church with them.  She sang in the church choir and was part of the Young Peoples Club even though she was not yet a Catholic.  It was at this Young People’s Club that she met her future husband, Herman Meyer. The year was 1946 and Herman was new to Holy Cross Church.  The first night he came to the Young Peoples Group, they played musical chairs. They both tell the story about how Naomi shoved Herman off the chair…she always wanted to win at every game. Herman thought she played a little rough for a young lady. It was NOT love at first sight but once they started to date, it wasn’t long before they fell in love.

Naomi and Herman were married on April 23, 1949 at Holy Cross Church. They honeymooned in Victoria, British Columbia at the Empress Hotel. The newlyweds did not own a car, so Herman borrowed one from his new father-in-law for the honeymoon.

In 1951, their first child was born.  Herman and Naomi have six children- Deborah, Theresa, Andrea, Gerald, Michael and Jonathan.

Naomi was the ultimate homemaker…she sewed all the girls clothes, baked all kinds of goodies, canned all types of fruit, helped with homework, was room mother for some of her children’s school classes and helped in Brownies and Girl Scouts. She taught her daughters to sew and helped her boys learn to sew their own Halloween costumes.  All of her children helped with canning peaches, pears, cherries and pickles.

Naomi loved craft activities, and whether it was wheat weaving, basket weaving, making Christmas ornaments, rock panting, knitting or making Barbie doll clothes- she always had a project going.

For many years, Naomi and Herman have volunteered for numerous charitable organizations.  Since the beginning of their relationship, they have remained active in the Catholic Church- and Naomi’s last outing was quilting with the altar society ladies at St Charles on September 29th. Naomi and Herman have worked on many projects for their church, for St Vincent DePaul, for the Lions Club, Meals on Wheels, and the Greenhouse program for homeless youth, to name a few.  When giving an allowance to their children, they taught them to spend wisely, save some of it and give some of it to charity.

About 18 years ago Naomi and Herman joined a group of seniors that walk together on Monday, Wednesday and Friday- rain or shine. They have enjoyed the company of this walking group who call themselves the “Ghost Walkers” because they walk in Rose City Cemetery.

Naomi and Herman have made lots of special keepsakes for their grandchildren and great grandchildren over the years. The oldest grandchildren each have a handmade knitted miniature Santa complete with fur beard and leather shoes. About 15 years ago, Naomi urged Herman to start quilting. Together they have made special quilts for most of their grandchildren and have been in the process of making the last few for the littlest kids.

Naomi passed away peacefully on October 21, 2014 with family members by her side. She is survived by Herman Meyer, her husband of 65 years, and by her six children, Deborah Pienovi (Randy Lee), Theresa Stonecipher (Scott), Andrea Atherton (Tom Pagh), Gerald Meyer (Cheryl), Michael Meyer (Katy), and Jonathan Meyer (Sheila). She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Madeleine Catholic Church, 3123 NE 24 ^th Ave, Portland, Or 97212 on Tuesday, October 28th at 11:00 AM., preceded by a Rosary at 10:30 AM. A private interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver, WA.

The family requests that any donation in memory of Naomi be made either to the St. Charles Altar Society, 5310 NE 42 ^nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97218 or to Meals on Wheels, 1907 NE 45 ^th Ave, Portland, Oregon 97213.