PRESQUE ISLE – Rebecca J. Naas, 94, died Oct. 3, 2010, at a local health care facility. She was born Nov. 8, 1915, in Sherman, the daughter of Harland and Edna (Hall) Gould. Rebecca graduated from Sherman High School in 1935, and later from Maine School of Commerce, now Husson University. She was employed by the city of Bangor, and then moved to Boston, where she worked in civil service at the Federal Building. During World War II, Rebecca moved to Springfield, Mass., to work on the assembly line at Chance Vought Aircraft, building F4U fighter planes. After a correspondence courtship, she married Sherman schoolmate, Stephen W. Naas, in 1943, at a church in Savannah, Ga., near the base where Steve, a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps, was stationed. Their wonderful marriage brought much joy to them and their family for the next 67 years. After the war, the couple returned to Maine to begin their family. The young family moved to Presque Isle in 1952. Rebecca was employed at Aroostook Valley Railroad’s office for many years. A longtime member of Bethany Baptist Church, Rebecca served as the church secretary and librarian for many years. She and her family spent many happy times at their camp on Pratt Lake, camping trips, hunting partridge and fishing. She was especially fond of and quite proficient at fly-fishing. After they retired, she and her husband traveled to Hawaii on their 50th wedding anniversary, enjoyed two trips to Europe, and a special summer in Alaska. She is survived by the love of her life, Stephen W. Naas of Presque Isle; two special sons, Paul S. Naas of Windham, and Martin J. Naas and his wife, Margaret, of Gardiner; grandsons, Jonathan P. Naas and his wife, Carrie, of Beaumont, Texas, and their children, Lauren and William, and Stephen L. Naas and his wife, Laura, of Gardiner, and their children, Madeline and Carter; brother-in-law, Sylvester D. Naas and his wife, Bennie, of Mountainside, N.J.; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers, Leonard and his wife, Annie, Maurice and his wife, June, and John Gould. The family thanks those at Presque Isle Rehabilitation and Nursing Home who gave Rebecca such wonderful care. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bethany Baptist Church, Second Street, Presque Isle, with the Rev. James Ackerson officiating. Relatives and friends may call 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be at Fairmount Cemetery, Presque Isle. Those who wish may make donations in her memory to Bethany Baptist Church, 24 Second St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.duncan-graves.com.
REBECCA J. NAAS
