Naomi Louise Cloer

December 4, 1942 – December 6, 2023

Naomi passed away peacefully on December 6th with family by her side after a 9 day hospital stay. She is with her Lord and Savior rejoicing in heaven now. As a Christian she had hope and knew she would be in heaven upon her passing.

Naomi was born December 4, 1942 in Spokane, WA to Lawrence C. Gray and Audrey A. (Ogden) Gray. She was the 2nd youngest of 7 children: Audrey, Doug, David, Anne, Judy & younger sister Bonnie. Much of her childhood was spent with their Ogden double cousins, as Lawrence’s sister Margaret Gray had married Audrey’s brother Ormel Ogden. Her family lived in Spokane, Otis Orchards and Chatteroy. Naomi graduated from North Central High School in Spokane.

She had a son as a teenager and as was the social norm of the day, she went “away” to have her child in an unwed mother’s home and he was relinquished for adoption. Naomi would later go on to marry William “Bill” Toney and they would raise Duane, Amy and Jeff until their divorce in 1973. Naomi married Jack Cloer in 1981 and gained a step-daughter, Cindy. Jack and Naomi had Laura Anne in 1982. Naomi’s first son Ron had searched for his mom without a solid lead (although he had sleuthed out yearbook photos and lo and behold, Ron went to the same High School as Naomi had gone to). When daughter Amy sent in her DNA for Ancestry.com in early 2021 there was a match for a half-brother! Naomi was so happy to get to meet her oldest son later that year, 60 years after he was born! They were able to visit a couple more times this year and last year.

Naomi had so many interests and talents and she excelled in all of them. She was a horsewoman, having owned horses nearly her entire life. When Duane, Amy & Jeff were growing up there were always horses. Naomi was involved in the Pony of the Americas (POA) Club and her and the kids showed their horses at shows. Later, when Laura Anne was growing up, Naomi & Laura Anne would trail ride with the Backcountry Horsemen.

Naomi was a talented musician. She played the violin and piano. Her children have many memories of falling to sleep at night while Mom played the piano. She took up various additional instruments over the years: Guitar, Banjo, Dulcimer (she hand made a couple of those), Ukelele and others.

She was a seamstress. Growing up in the 1940’s her Mother taught her to sew at a very young age. She sewed most of her children’s clothes when they were young. She could also crochet and knit. She ended up taking up quilting and spent many years making quilts. She made quilts for most of her children and grandchildren. In addition she was part of the Quilting Angels group and Treadle On group that made many quilts (sewn on Treadle Machines) for children in hospitals. Sewing on Treadle sewing machines sparked a new hobby: collecting and restoring vintage sewing machines and cabinets.

Naomi was also an accomplished carpenter, able to build barns, sheds, fence their property etc. Not only did she do the Big projects, she went miniature – making true-to-scale miniature household furnishings that she displayed in a curio cabinet. She won some ribbons at the Puyallup Fair for her miniatures.

She was an organic gardener. There was always a vegetable garden on her property with a great bounty of good food, and children underfoot to pull weeds! Naomi would have her seed catalogs and Mother Earth News magazines, learning all about what to plant and how best to grow it.

In addition to all these talents, she was an excellent cook. Her children were fortunate enough to have delicious homemade bread, pies & stews growing up. There were always cupboards full of home canned goods. Even during the lean, single-mom years she found a way to provide hearty meals on just a few dollars.

Until her health got too bad in the last several years, she was a strong woman. Always busy improving her property and home and serving her family in love by her cooking and sewing.

Naomi is survived by her husband of 42 years Lawrence “Jack” Cloer, sons Ron & Duane, daughters Cindy, Amy & Laura Anne. She is preceded in death by her youngest son Jeff. She was also blessed with many grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 1 pm at:

Pathway Church

6010 224th St E

Spanaway WA 98387