Naomi Crew

Naomi Ruth Crew passed away in her home on Wednesday, September 19, 2012. Naomi was born on October 2, 1919 in South Haven, Michigan to Charles McNeal and Ruth (Sessions) McNeal. She graduated from South Haven High School, Michigan State University and Central Michigan University. Naomi was one of four women to earn a B.S. in chemistry in 1941 from MSU. She received her M.A. in Library Science from CMU in 1968. On June 19, 1941 she married Richard F. "Dick" Crew in Defiance, Ohio while enroute to Pasadena, CA where Dick reported for duty in the US Navy. She and Dick raised 5 children: Richard, Bruce, Chuck, Wayne and Sandy. Naomi worked as an elementary school librarian in the Mt Pleasant (MI) public schools, retiring in 1982. She and her husband relocated to Prescott, AZ in 1987. They moved to Landsun Homes in Carlsbad, NM in 1994. Naomi was a member of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Alma, MI, Prescott, AZ and Carlsbad, NM. She was a regular in the alto section of the church choir, active in Methodist Women and the Landsun Auxiliary. Several Cambodian refugee families resettled in the Alma, MI area as a result of her and Dick's work as chairmen of the Cambodian Refugee Committee of the Alma UMC. Naomi carried her passion for books and reading and service to others into retirement. She served as a volunteer at the public libraries in Carlsbad and Prescott. At the Carlsbad Public Library she improved the book catalog system, especially in the children's and map sections. She also set up the library system at United Methodist Church in Carlsbad. In Prescott she recorded many books for the initial audio library section. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents and siblings. She is survived by a brother-in-law and spouse, Lewis and Alice Crew; and sons: Richard E. Crew and wife, Carole; Bruce Crew; Charles Crew and wife, Judy; Wayne Crew and wife, Rivanna; and daughter Sandra Lenneman and husband, Gary; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 6th in the Otto Chapel at Landsun Homes. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Should friends desire, remembrances can be directed to the Landsun Homes Caring Hands Fund, 1900 Westridge Road, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.