EXETER, N.H. – Naomi Stevens Billings, 96, died peacefully Wednesday, April 30, 2008, with family at her bedside, at Rockingham County Nursing Home, Brentwood, N.H. Prior to her recent move to Rockingham, she had been a resident at Eventide Home, Exeter, N.H. Naomi was born April 13, 1912, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Arthur and Mildred (Armstrong) Stevens. She graduated from Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1931 and attended Rose Millicent School of Hairdressing and Cosmetology, Boston. She returned to Aroostook County and began a long career as a hairdresser, eventually establishing her own shop in her home on Barton Street, Presque Isle. She was a life-long Episcopalian, having grown up in the congregation of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fort Fairfield, then becoming an active member of St. John’s parish, Presque Isle, where she sang in the choir, served on the vestry and was a member of Episcopal Church Women. She continued her active parish involvement at Christ Church, Episcopal, Exeter, N.H., where she relocated in 1982. She was also a member of Pierian Club, Presque Isle and a lifetime member of Order of Eastern Star, Lunar Chapter No. 126. She served in various capacities in local and Maine state hairdressers’ organizations. In Exeter, N.H., she was a member of Exeter Women’s Club and East Side Current Events Club and also served as an Exeter Hospital volunteer. Naomi was a devoted wife and mother, a loving and doting grandmother and a proud great-grandmother. Being actively involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren was her pleasure in life and her advice, always offered from her heart and the experiences of a long life, was cherished. She was an avid reader and an accomplished knitter, knitting items for her family and for church craft fairs and mission projects. She also loved playing bridge and dancing. She was predeceased by her husband of 40 years, Harold Stephen Billings; and her brother, Hiram D. Stevens, D.O., of Smyrna Mills. She is survived by her son, Dr. Arthur S. Billings and his wife, Patricia, of Treasure Island, Fla.; her daughter, Barbara Armstrong and her husband, Stephen, of Exeter, N.H.; three grandsons, Stephen Billings and his wife, Jenny, of South Portland, David Billings of Hermosa Beach, Calif., and Michael Billings and his wife, Kristen, of Thornton, Colo.; two granddaughters, Alisun Armstrong of Queens, N.Y., and Kristin Grant and her husband, Scott, of Manchester, N.H.; a great-grandson, Trey Grant; a great-stepgranddaughter, Kristen Hallet of Thornton, Colo; sister-in-law, Margaret Stevens Wright of Bennington, Vt.; a niece, Priscilla Stevens Bradshaw; and two nephews, David and Mark Stevens. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Christ Church Episcopal, Exeter, N.H. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Naomi’s name to Memorial Funds of Christ Church, Episcopal, 43 Pine St., Exeter, NH 03833 or St. John’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 8, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Arrangements are through Stockbridge Funeral Home, 141 Epping Road, Exeter, N.H.
NAOMI STEVENS BILLINGS
