Naomi Elizabeth Stewart

Celebrating the Life of Naomi Elizabeth Stewart

Naomi Stewart was known to many as a gracious hostess, loving, and kind woman of God.  She was fiercely independent, stylish—but not a slave to fashion. A woman with grace and grit.  She demonstrated a self-less can-do attitude. She relished being a mother and a mother figure to many in her sphere of influence.

Those who had the privilege and opportunity to know her well, recognized in her a great sense of humor, a tireless worker, a gifted cook and caring friend.  She so enjoyed entertaining in the sense that she liked to prepare meals and share with friends and strangers---anyone within the smell.  She readily shared her home with family and friends who needed a temporary place to call home or get back on their feet. The children joked that they cannot remember a time when they did not have someone living with them.

While she was born on January 6, 1934 in Costa Rica, she emigrated to the United States in 1964 because she wanted more opportunities for herself and her family.  Ten years prior to moving to the US, in 1954, she married George Clayton Stewart the man with whom she would share her life for the next sixty-four years until his death in 2018. Together George and Naomi raised their five children. Two of whom, Elizabeth Stewart Manderson and Eidie Stewart Frett sadly preceded her in death.

While in the States, they lived in New York, first briefly in Harlem (should have bought a brownstone) and then primarily in the Bronx.  In her ongoing effort to improve herself, she enrolled in a Model Cities training program where she learned keyboarding and later landed a job with the Federal Government---US Customs; an employer with whom she worked for over twenty years until she retired.  As a matter of fact, she worked in one of the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

As a lifelong Seventh day Adventist, Naomi was active in her church.  At Ephesus in Harlem, New York, she sang in the Collegiate Choir and with the Cantata Choir with whom she traveled frequently for Holiday concerts on the Island of Jamaica.  She was a faithful hostess for many years and gave Bible studies with Bro. Allen.  At Mount of Olives in San Jose, Costa Rica, she served as Sabbath School Superintendent, sang in choir, headed Hospitality, Deaconess and wherever there was a need.  She credited her maternal grandmother Jane Bailey who raised her from age 13 with inspiring her to make following Jesus a lifelong commitment.

After a year-long struggle, On the afternoon of April 27, 2021, Naomi took her last breath. Those left to cherish her memory include daughter Patricia (Don) sons George (Miriam), and Roger; her siblings Leonora, Amos, (Lilleth), Wilfred (Janet) and Josephine.  Her beloved grandchildren: Shannon, Aprille, Shanelle, Joel, Joshua, Sean, Jeremiah, Sharmilia, great granddaughter Shaniya, in-laws Dowell (Yvone), Evednie (Vincent) along with a large family and a host of friends. May we all choose to be fueled by her love and not stunted by her death.

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