Naomi Hogue

Naomi Louise Hogue (1933 – 2020)

Early on the morning of April 1, 2020, our beloved mother Naomi Hogue left us to be with God. She had taken a fall the end of January, was hospitalized, and then started physical therapy. After six weeks she was readmitted to the hospital. Her lungs had weakened further and ultimately failed. She was 87 years of age.

Naomi was born the fourth child to Esther and Frank Settle. As a young adult, she left home in Spokane, Washington to live in the land of dreams, Los Angeles, California. A music lover, she got a job working at Capitol Records, that iconic building shaped like a stack of records. She met and married Bill Hogue, also in the record business, at age 23, had her first child at 24, then another at 26, and her third at age 33. She devoted her life to her family and her home. The family home always welcomed friends of the kids, and both Naomi and Bill took an active interest in their children’s activities and friends, something that became clear again as we send notices to so many of our own friends who knew Naomi.

Naomi lived in California until 1983 when she moved to Colorado Springs to be near her sister. She attended First Presbyterian Church and volunteered for several years at Silver Key, a meals-on-wheels organization in Colorado Springs. She lived there until 2016 when she moved to Grants Pass to be near her son.

Naomi was very skillful in all kinds of crafts. She sewed extensively for her two daughters when they were small as evidenced by photos of them in matching outfits. She did outdoor activities and loved gardening. She joined an aerobics class before most people knew what it was. She enjoyed music events with friends. She traveled to Japan multiple times.

She was happiest when she was doing something for a loved one or making something to send for a birthday or Christmas. When moving her from Colorado Springs to Grants Pass, we were astonished at the volume of gift wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows in stock ready to be used.

Naomi was preceded in death by William, her husband of 40 years, in 1996. Both Naomi and Bill were preceded in death by Deidre, their second daughter, in 1982. Naomi will reunite with Dad and Deede, and Naomi’s elder sister Frances, to whom she was very close, her eldest brother Edward, second eldest brother Thomas, younger brother Daniel, and their mother Esther and father Frank Settle, and many other loved ones.

Naomi is survived by two children, her son, who has been her constant support since she moved to Grants Pass four years ago, and daughter, who lives in Japan. We will hold a celebration of her life to remember and show gratitude for her devotion, effort, and love. We will honor her now individually and later we will honor her together at a memorial service to be planned in the coming weeks. Thank you all for your care and friendship of our Mom over the years.

April 2020
2 Corinthians 5:1-9 New Living Translation (NLT)