|
From: Stephen Baker
Liverpool England Never met Naomi, although I did live for a while in Seattle, recently. Just a fellow motorcyclist who heard about this sad passing from a friend of a friend.
Condolences for the loss of a friend never met.
written on 2009-07-20 09:34:38
Post number: 20
From: Russ and Judy Johnson
Poulsbo, Washington We just heard of Naomi's death. She was at a BBQ last September and told us about her recurring bout of Cancer. She was a good person and we enjoyed riding motorcycles with her. She is missed.
written on 2009-07-06 20:18:53
Post number: 19
From: LeAnn Fields
Ann Arbor, Michigan Dear Dean and David,
Thanks for making this site available for those who knew and loved your mother. I've admired Jean and her radiant spirit all my life. As a kid growing up next door to the Metcalf family, I saw Jean and her brothers do the coolest things and have the best adventures, a kind of energy and creativity that I can see she passed along to you. At various times Jean was my childhood babysitter, teenage role model, and teacher, and in the past ten years since I've gotten to know her again, I've seen her as another sort of role model, in demonstrating how to live life to the fullest after retirement. Although we visited a couple of times in the past few years, your mom never mentioned the health challenges she was facing--so I will add courage to the list of her outstanding qualities. She was a very special person and I can't imagine the world without her.
Love to you, Gary, Fred, and the entire family--
LeAnn
written on 2009-05-26 09:30:16
Post number: 18
From: Marilyn Young
Akron, Ohio I had lost contact with Jean and was so sad to read her obituary in the Beacon. We were golf and teaching friends at Tallmadge High. We went on a trip out west in the early 60'sand tried to see the entire west in one week. We kept in touch during our children's early years and then lost contact. I have wonderful memories of our experiences.
Marilyn Young
written on 2009-05-19 12:07:08
Post number: 17
From: James Liebert
Akron, Ohio Most telling of all these observations, for me, is by Sue Corbett of Mukilteo. Jean indeed was the friend to knock on our door, to respond impromptu to a laugh or bring one. A sacred spirit has been bequeathed, but also lost to us. Each of us must pick up where Jean left off.
written on 2009-05-18 16:17:19
Post number: 16
From: Birgitta, Paul, Andy and David Root
Dear Dean and Dave,
Jean and I were friends for over 35 years. Jean was a friend who meant a lot on many levels. She inspired you to do and think.
In the "early" years, Jean, Judy and I shared a lot of good times: the breakfasts at Wally's - often with Aunt Blanche; swimming at the Y I don't think she liked the water very much - she usually stayed close to the pool wall; driving 2.5 hours to have lunch at Salt Fork state park, barely beating the school bus to be home when kids were dropped off; the pranks mostly Judy's etc., etc. I'm sure that you also remember that camping trip in the Adirondacks and the "tame" deer that hung around the camp site.
After we moved to Charlotte and when she was still in Ohio, she visited us several times - sometimes we knew of her arrival and sometimes we did not. She'd call to say she was on her way and we'd figure we had a few hours to get ready, only to have her showing up 5 minutes later, ringing the door bell: "Hi guys" with a big grin on her face. After her move to Seattle, we usually managed to get together when we all were in Ohio. Not so long ago, the year she drove the entire Blue Ridge Parkway on her motorcycle, she visited us during a particularly scorching week, and we won't forget when she donned her padded cycling gear on a humid, 98 degree summer day and took off for Cherokee.
I am so glad that the three of you were able to get together with our David in NYC last year, and that Paul, Andy and I were able to spend time with her in Ohio last fall.
It is not often in life that one is lucky to have had such a friend - I will miss Jean always.
Birgitta, Paul, Andy and David Root
written on 2009-05-18 10:35:37
Post number: 15
From: Fredda Cole
Stow, MA I met Naomi last year through a local Seattle motorcycling group. As I was on holiday, and she was retired, we enjoyed two wonderful week-days of riding through the passes east of Seattle. It was a privilege to ride with her.
My condolences to her family.
Fredda Cole
written on 2009-05-17 16:01:30
Post number: 14
From: Philip Adamek
Kagoshima, Japan Naomi was my best friend's Mom from the time I was in grade school, but she behaved less like an authority figure and more like a friend. When I used to visit Dave in their home in Kent, she would put thoughtful questions to me and lend an attentive ear. She was the kind of parent and friend everyone should aspire to be.
Her best traits are visible in her two sons, who show compassion, listen carefully, and appeal to the good side in others. Their steady presence in her adventurous life had to be for her an infinite source of comfort and of healing.
I live abroad now but was fortunate to see Naomi last year. She was as radiant and endearing as ever. She rode me on her motorcycle through the streets of Seattle and down to see the sun set over the Olympic Mountains. I'm grateful to her and grateful to Dean and Dave.
written on 2009-05-13 08:28:06
Post number: 13
From: Sue Corbett
Mukilteo, WA Naomi was my best friend. But she was the "best friend" to many people because she had a warm and loving heart. We first met when we lived in the same apartment building in the Fremont district. One night, she knocked on my door because she heard me laughing and she wanted to know what it was all about. She needed a laugh too. After that, we gradually became good friends and shared many adventures. I have posted a few pictures from out trip to France and italy next to the other guest book.
But she had many adventures because she truly was a free spirit. She enjoyed every day, waiting expectantly to see what it would bring. One never knew which direction she would go in next. Whatever happened, she "went with the flow." I never heard her complain when life brought her tough challenges.
Dean and Dave, you were the true Joy of her life. Gary and Fred, you were her treasured brothers. I know you will miss her as I will.
written on 2009-05-12 17:57:29
Post number: 12
From: Dr Cristopher Bosted
Seattle, WA I had the pleasure of meeting Naomi in her last couple of years. I was struck by her innocent curiosity of life, the joy she experienced around her dear friends, and the sense of adventure she had with her boys and her motorcycle.
She is an inspiration to enjoy life in all it's ups and downs. I light a candle in her honor and hold her family in that light. blessings and peace be with you, her sons and brothers, and to the rest of her friends and family.
written on 2009-05-12 16:54:59
Post number: 11
|
