Naomi Ruth (Vandeveer) Stowe

Naomi Stowe, 90, of Troy, Ohio died peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, May 29, 2018.  Naomi was born and raised in Troy, and spent many summers on family farms in Alcony where she learned to ride horses and help with chores.  She was one of two children born to Lena Marie Holdeman and Ralph Leland Vandeveer.  On December 21, 1946 she married James Stowe, also of Troy, and in 1954 established a homestead on Rt. 55 west of town.  

Naomi was an employee of US Bank for 30 years.  She played the piano and organ beautifully and did a lot of entertaining.   She enjoyed gardening and even canned her own vegetables.  She loved to read and became infatuated with the West as she read all of Zane Grey’s books.  (Jim read Louis L’Amour).  Most summers the family packed sleeping bags and a tent, and headed to the mountains or the desert, trying to visit as many National Parks as they could.  Pike’s Peak, the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert to name a few.  They also loved the Great Smoky Mountains and visited frequently.  They were avid birders and made sure everyone had a copy of Birds of North America. 

In 1986 they sold the house, bought a motorhome, and hit the road!  Joining a caravan to Alaska in July they didn’t return to the lower 48 until Sept 1.  The next several years found them traveling coast to coast, north and south to every state except Hawaii.  They enjoyed spending time with family, frequently helping with home projects or babysitting.  Settling in Corkscrew Woodlands, Estero, Florida for the winters, they began making, painting and selling birdhouses.  Naomi said they made over 400 and she painted pictures on all four sides.  She also painted colorful canvasses of sunsets and sea shores.

Those left to honor her memory are children Melody, James L. (Margaret), and Marianne (Joseph) Dion, 11 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.  Husband James Stowe passed away January 19, 2004.  Daughter Ruth Ann (George) Ulrich passed away May 27, 2009.  A Celebration of Life service is planned for Saturday June 23 at Fisher-Cheney Funeral Home, 1124 W. Main Street, Troy, OH — visitation at 1 p.m. and service at 2 p.m..

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Naomi Ruth (Vandeveer) Stowe, please visit our floral store.