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Naomi Wolff, of Norris, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on January 31st, 2024 . She was born on July 29th,1924 in Jamestown, NY to Thomas and Marguerite Wilkinson.
Naomi was mother to Thomas Druelinger, Leo (Diane) Druelinger, Gary (Betsy) Wolff and Paul Wolff. A beloved wife to Gary Wolff who she referred to as “Love.” She was a devoted sister to five sisters; Lois, Ruth, Rhea, Tommie, and Betty. Naomi was a cherished grandmother to Kim, Buddy, Erin, Joshua, Tommy, Alex, Leah and Jeremy. She is survived by 10 great grandchildren.
Naomi had an extremely strong work ethic, took pride in her work and demanded the same of those around her. She worked after high school graduation as a Rosie the riveter at Bell and Curtis Wright aircraft and then signed on as a USN Wave Nurse during World War II. She worked at many different jobs wherever the family moved. Naomi was passionate about cooking and food. One job she especially enjoyed was working at the Diocese of Buffalo’s summer seminary campus in Bemus Point, NY, running the kitchen. She later moved to Elma, NY to run the kitchen at St. John Vianney where she met her husband. Naomi was also a great lover of art and ran the Tallulah Gallery, in Tallulah Falls, Georgia where she discovered new artists and supported their work by showcasing their sculptures, paintings, pottery and jewelry at The Gallery.
Naomi’s greatest joys were her husband Gary and her family and she treasured every moment spent with them. Naomi met the love of her life, her husband Gary and never a day went by without her telling him what a good, kind man he was and how much she loved him. Many treasured moments were spent on the farm with Nana and Papa. From eating butter pecan ice cream in bed while cheering on her Atlanta Braves, to spending the day at The Gallery looking at art, milking goats, running from the angry peacocks and guinea hens to playing Yatzee or cards and acting as her sous chef while she taught you all of her best cooking tricks.
Naomi was an avid baker and was known to make twelve dozen varieties of ten different kinds of cookies to share with loved ones during the holidays. Two she was known best for her ladyfingers and Mexican wedding cookies. In the later years many happy memories were made spending the day on Norris Lake jumping off the pontoon boat, going for rides with Papa to Norris Dam or out for ice cream at Brewsters.
Naomi was an avid storyteller and pro at embellishing the smallest details into larger than life tall tales. One of the yarns she liked to tell was the Tale of The Vanderveer Man who lived on the mountain. She was also quite the prankster, and was somehow always able to convince you to prank another family member while making you believe it was your idea to begin with.
Her beautiful blue eyes, mischievous smile and quick wit will be missed by all who loved her. A Celebration of Life honoring Naomi’s remarkable journey will be held on April 13th, 2024 from 11 am to 2 pm at The Mansion at Knox Farm Park, located at 437 Buffalo, Rd, East Aurora, NY. Please join us in remembering and celebrating the life of Naomi Wolff, a remarkable woman whose caring, strength and love touched the lives of many.
In lieu of flowers, and because of Naomi’s passion for gathering together around the dinner table and reflective of the beauty she brought to the world, the family requests that contributions be made to the Norris Food Pantry at Norris Religious Fellowship PO Box 267 Norris, TN 37828.
