My grandmother was an independent, strong-willed, feisty, loving woman, who even with her dementia the last couple of years could still give me a run for my money -it's true- when I could engage her in an activity or conversation, she still had it in her. She would call me a pain in the ass, a brat, mean, and one time she even said she now knew why my mother would call me a bitch. I deny none, except maybe the brat part. It was always with love - occasionally with a side glare - but always love. She would later laugh about it. Her laugh will resonate in my heart until it stops beating. Those times where I could bring that fiery, feisty spirit  out were all times it was for her own good. 
Holding her afternoon martini hostage until she drank her one glass of water. ( She found a way around that, she got my 78lb Staffordshire to drink it for her )
Making her get dressed and out of her night clothes? That she turned into a reason  to go get ice cream or a small chocolate milk shake.

                                                      GRANDMA continue
She loved animals, but after the last trip to the zoo for one of Logan's birthdays, she decided she didn't like them that much, "It's too damn hot for that!" became her response when asked if she wanted to go again, as they go often.   We then stuck to small petting zoos and the lake with the birds to feed.
The 2 biggest battles were the 30 ounces of water she had to drink for a test.  I started working on that one, preparing her, so when the day came, she wouldn't fight me.  Yeah, no, that didn't work.  I went to posting updates on Facebook that day just in case I came up missing or maimed, everyone would know why.   Her mean ole granddaughter was always nagging her about water.   
Then the biggest of them all, the one where the back and forth between us could fill a book all by itself, was about showering.   We had a schedule.   She had a dislike of them.  They wore her out.   I would tell her it was good for her to do things she didn’t like, “It builds character,” I said.  “huh, character this!”  She would say.   It actually went so far one time that she told me, “Next time just roll me outside and hose me down in the yard!”   Being who I am I told her with a chuckle, “Don’t tempt me.   Kalypso is due for a bath too.”  (side glare)


                                                                        GRANDMA continued

She was a very diverse woman.   She lived.  A bullet point list I made trying to bring her essence to this grew too long, even as just an outline:  
•	Converted to Catholicism
•	Volunteered – delivering groceries
•	Homemade pickles to pasta figoli
•	Making curtains & bathing suits for Leslie and I when we were younger
•	Yacht Club with Donna
•	Mark’s house for Pabst Blue Ribbon on ice.  Don’t ask ….
•	The trailer where Andrew, Greg, my boys, my brother all used to visit with her
•	Walking Wolf Lake
•	Watching the Ganci children & jumping in pool fully clothed after Matthew
•	My father being her favorite:  Only God knows why …
•	Her love of traveling & the Christmas ornaments to remember those trips by
•	Stories of her & her sisters, Aunt Arline & Aunt Ruthie
•	What she would call Martini’s others know to be jet fuel
•	Craft shows & her rugs
•	Her first pedicure with me
•	Using fabric shears for nail clippers – ask me sometime …
•	How she felt about the bearded dragon Kevin and Dana gave me – cool – but not cool enough to stay in her room for company
•	The pride in telling Doctor’s & Nurses that Logan was her Great Great Grandson with the two of them in unison, “Yup, 5 generations.”
•	The lullaby she sang to Breanne who still sings it to Logan
I once asked her why she always was so quick to defend everyone – my mom, my dad, my kids – everyone except me.  She told me because I didn’t need defending, I could handle myself well enough.
This is just a hint of the woman I knew.   The one I will miss.  The one I will hear laughing in my heart, again, until it stops beating.

I love you, grandma…


Naomi has been a blessing to me since I was in my late teens and Valerie brought her into my life.    The remarkable thing about her was how fearless she was.   She faced life challenges with a quiet determination and confidence, living in New York, Las Vegas and Florida on her own where she made it work without moaning but made the most of each situation and enjoyed the adventures.     It seems she never met a stranger.   She could sit and talk with anyone -  man, woman or child, any age - and just by being her nonjudgemental self, made you comfortable.   When I first met her, I assumed I would consider her a second Mom but soon discovered she was more like a sister,  so very dear to me.    May she find peace in His loving care after these past few years of struggle.  

All the adults called her Naomi and all the kids called her Poogie.  I called her Mom. She was as much a mom to me as she was to Valerie. (she would side with me as often as not). She was an amazing woman. A lady that grew up poor on a farm and knew how to work. From tarring her own second story roof to helping her second  husband Ralph physically build homes in Davie. Her stories from her colorful, full life were endless, from going to California to help her sister move out of her unhappy home in one day while the kids were in Disney and driving across the country pulling a trailer, to dating one of the Tarzan actors, to driving from Connecticut to S. Florida with her mom and 6 year old Valerie with no job or place to stay prearranged. She was mostly a single mom that raised 2 daughters working as a waitress. She loved going to the beach for cookouts and family get togethers. Once when we were building our house, Mom was in the trusses nailing bracing and a car with some teenagers drove by and one of them yelled "hey look at the old lady up in the roof!" Mom quickly responded "Where? where?" A thousand little stories that added up to one great, loving, mostly happy, beautiful life that I was honored and blessed to be a part of.

Naomi was such a beautiful person! She took me under her wing at 18 years old and showed me kindness and love when we worked together at the yacht club. Then she brought me into her family and I have lifetime friends! I will miss you sweet friend.

I will never forget her laugh. She was an amazing woman.

I loved every time I had the chance to be around her. She was such a cool aunt to have.

Dear Naomi,
     Ever since I first met you, it was love at first sight!  You are such an inspiration to anyone who who knows you!  A very hard working (no task was too difficult), helpful, FUNNY, interesting, and non-combative woman.  
     Working together at St Thomas University as Proctors made us even closer.  I'd run and visit you at your station in the library on my lunch break (a few times we were told to quiet down!)  Once,  I even caught you dozing!  That was the hardest part of the job - staying awake!
     Later,  we had so much fun with our lunches all over Broward County,  many times looking for clam bellies for you!  We even got lost a few times, not surprising with my sense of direction!
     I was so happy when you were staying in Memorial Manor because it was so close by.   I would've hugged you a little longer on our last visit, if I had known.  I will always cherish your memory and all the times we spent together,
Love you,   Sandy


Grammy, Poogie (sp?), Naomi. Doesn't really matter what we called you, you were bigger than all of that. I remember you coming over after your restaurant shifts and hanging out almost daily. I remember building my parents' house side-by-side with my Grandmother. How cool is that? I remember hanging out in your mobile home because I liked to spend time with you. I remember your smile, your sarcasm, your down-to-earth attitude and your joy. I feel truly blessed that I got to spend as much time with you as I did and that my children and wife got to meet you. We will miss your presence here, but our memories will keep you with us forever.

Love you Grammy.

Sean, Erin, Emily, Hunter, Darby and Blythe.

Our prayers have been with you, Aunt Valerie, Uncle Mike, Michelle and Sean and the rest of your family since we heard of Naomi’s passing. I love that my kids all remembered her when I showed them her photo. We just saw her and talked with her for a bit at Aunt Mary and Uncle Nestor’s Christmas breakfast. 
I loved always seeing her at all the picnics and family functions throughout the years. Although, when I was really young I remember not knowing what I should call her because I knew I shouldn’t call an adult by their first name! She was always smiling and so kind when we would talk.
We love you all and RIP, sweet Naomi!
Dawn and John, Elvis, Maximus, Levi, Sadie, Willow and Jedi

I will always remember Naomi laughing and having a fun time at gatherings. She had an infectious laugh and you couldn’t help but be tickled by her. 
God bless you, Naomi, rest in peace with Our Lord and Savior.  ✝️💜

Naomi was my aunt but she was so much more; a great friend, a second mom, a confidante.  She opened her home to me when I was returning from England and I lived with her for eight months. We went on an absurd diet together where we ate the same thing for months and walked her lake every day. We encouraged each and still managed to have lots of laughs. And that’s how I will remember her - always laughing. Enjoy your sisters and brother and I will see you again. All My Love, Dee

Family, travel, food, and fun a life time to be hold and in a second it's gone. 
Strangely taken from us in a blink of an eye. We can not fathom or even question why.
Her life so precious to be hold; so strong, loving, and giving I can not explain the loss I feel but in my heart and mind she remains my Mom, my friend, and my everything for all time.

Her loving, grateful, and admiring daughter
Leslie 

Forest Lawn South would like to express our deepest and sincerest condolences to you and your family at this most difficult time.  

We wish you peace to bring comfort, the courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.

Sincerely, 
Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens South Staff


OBITUARY

Naomi B. Bradbury

January 31, 1928 – February 28, 2019

Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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