"Though we hsd not been in touch for some years, I was so sorry to read of Naomi's passing. She was admired and loved by so many and will be missed by all. I first met Naomi when she came to work as the Receptionist beside the main entrance at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Churc, NYC, in the late 1970's, where I served as Social Worker. When my young family moved to Minneapolis in 1982, we continued our friendship with Naomi and Niles who had then moved to Rochester. Naomi was full of grace and kindness, always thinking of others and devoted to friends and family. . She exemplified faithfulness and compassion throughout all her days and will be lovingly remembered by so many admirers. Rest well, my advisor and confident. "
In loving memory of
Naomi Victoria Hysell
November 22, 1918 - February 12, 2023
Naomi Victoria Lee Hysell, age 104, of Rochester died on February 12, 2023, at Charter House in Rochester. A memorial service will be held in late spring or early summer. Naomi was born in Spring Grove, Minnesota, on November 22, 1918.
Naomi's middle name of Victoria was in honor of the armistice marking the end of World War I--at the same time the 1918 flu epidemic was raging. Naomi was valedictorian of her high school class in Spring Grove. After teacher practicum courses and some secondary teaching, she graduated summa cum laude in 1941 from Winona State Teacher's College (now Winona State University) in Winona, Minnesota. When teaching in Farmington, Minnesota, she met Niles Hysell at a dance and fell in love.
World War II interrupted their plans; after a long-distance courtship with Niles in the Army Air Force, Naomi joined him in Long Beach, California, where they were married on July 17, 1943. Their marriage endured for 59 years until Niles's passing in 2003. After her teaching career, Naomi raised her four sons in the Minnesota and the Northeast. Naomi and Niles lived in six Minnesota cities prior to moving to Metro-New York in 1961. When they became "empty nesters" in 1978, they moved to Manhattan, then Princeton, New Jersey, in 1984. They built a beautiful house in Nellysford, Virginia, in 1986, and finally moved in 1996 to Charter House, in Rochester, Minnesota.
Naomi possessed an abundance of elegance, was strikingly beautiful, widely read, very good at bridge, and intellectually accomplished. She was a creative cook; her extended family members still talk about her steamed cranberry pudding-cake with vanilla sauce. She was known for her generosity to family, friends, and the community alike. She measured success not by possessions, but by the health and safety of her family and the good she could do for relatives and the community at large. Naomi supported numerous philanthropies during her life and was active in the life of various churches, most recently the First Presbyterian Church in Rochester. She was known for her practice of devotions: daily readings, prayers, and meditation every morning. Her Christian faith informed her daily life, prompting her to put the needs of others above her own.
She became a skilled watercolorist, picking up this art form in her late forties. Her watercolors, freely expressing the beauties of nature, grace the homes of family members and were featured in art exhibitions at Charter House.
She is survived by her four sons: Niles Jr. (Judy Mansueto) of Chicago, IL, Jon (Barbara Britt-Hysell) of Clinton, NY, Bill (Mimi Toro) of Nellysford, VA, and Tom (Susan Marie Swanson) of St. Paul, MN; 10 grandchildren, Andrew Hysell of Madison, WI, Matt (Erin) of Brooklyn, NY, Nora of Missoula, MT, Sam of New York, NY, Joe (Claire) of Minneapolis, Julia (Steve) Ruther of Minneapolis, Nick (Sarah) Swanson-Hysell of Berkeley, CA, Lee (Jeff) Wiercinski of Mt. Airy, MD, Cody (Drew) Rankin of Marietta, GA, and Ben (Ella) Swanson-Hysell of St. Paul. She has fifteen great grandchildren.
Naomi survived two pandemics and was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, four sisters, and her husband. In lieu of flowers, Naomi's family would appreciate a donation to Mayo Clinic Foundation (https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC).
Ranfranz and Vine is honored to be serving the Hysell family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit ranfranzandvinefh.com.
Tributes
"My mother Ann Aaro was a good friend of Naomi 's at Charter House. We loved to go out to dinner with Naomi and my Mom when I was in town. She was such a good listener and so kind. She always looked so beautiful and was so sharp. I have one of her beautiful watercolor cards on my refrigerator right now and love to look at it and remember such a nice woman!!! Love her always?? Beth (Aaro) Boyd "
"Naomi had a very remarkable life. I loved hearing her life stories when I was with her. She was so proud of all her ? boys?. She will be missed by many. "