Billings, Naomi Stevens, 96, Fort Fairfield; in Exeter, NH, April 30, 2008. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at Christ Church Episcopal in Exeter, NH. Arrangements are through Stockbridge Funeral Home, Exeter.
EXETER, NH – Naomi Stevens Billings, 96, died peacefully, with family at her bedside, on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at Rockingham County Nursing Home in Brentwood. Prior to her recent move to Rockingham, she had been a resident at The Eventide Home in Exeter. Naomi was born on April 13, 1912, in Fort Fairfield, Maine, the daughter of Arthur and Mildred (Armstrong) Stevens. She graduated from Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1931, and attended The Rose Millicent School of Hairdressing and Cosmetology in 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 in Presque Isle. She was predeceased by her husband of forty years, Harold Stephen Billings, and her brother, Hiram D. Stevens, D. O., of Smyrna Mills, Maine.
She was a life-long Episcopalian, having grown up in the congregation of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fort Fairfield, then becoming an active member of St. John’s parish in Presque Isle, where she sang in the choir, served on the Vestry and was a member of the Episcopal Church Women. She continued her active parish involvement at Christ Church, Episcopal in Exeter, where she relocated in 1982. She was also a member of the Pierian Club in Presque Isle and a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star, Lunar Chapter #126. She served in various capacities in local and Maine state hairdressers’ organizations. In Exeter, she was a member of the Exeter Women’s Club, the 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 is survived by her son, Dr. Arthur S. Billings and his wife, Patricia, of Treasure Island, Florida; her daughter, Barbara Armstrong and her husband, Stephen, of Exeter; three grandsons, Stephen Billings and his wife, Jenny, of South Portland, Maine; David Billings of Hermosa Beach, California, Michael Billings and his wife, Kristen, of Thornton, Colorado; two granddaughters, Alisun Armstrong of Queens, New York, and Kristin Grant and her husband, Scott, of Manchester; a great-grandson, Trey Grant, and a step-great-granddaughter, Kristen Hallet of Thornton, Colorado. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Margaret Stevens Wright of Bennington, VT; a niece, Priscilla Stevens Bradshaw; and two nephews, David and Mark Stevens.
Services: A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Christ Church Episcopal, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Naomi’s name to memorial funds of Christ Church, Episcopal, 43 Pine Street, 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.
