Naomi Cameron

Naomi Sharon (Whitney) Cameron, 77, passed away on Sept. 23, 2015, at St. Luke's Elmore Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, and burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Naomi was born to Phelps and Etta Whitney in Mountain Home on Dec. 10, 1937. The youngest of seven siblings and already an aunt, she found herself among the best friends and mentors she would have in life.

She grew up in as normal a way as anyone in the Whitney clan could and ended her school years involved in Cheerleading, Pep Club, Student Government and Homecoming Court with the graduating MHHS class of 1956.

She married her high school sweetheart, Gerald (Jerry) Kencke, in 1957, and they proceeded to build a life together in town with Naomi contributing as mother to daughter Klea and sons, Daniel and Lauren, along with jobs at the bank and Samson Truck Line.

The family enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and travel throughout the Northwest. A treasured memory was the traditional Christmas Eve dinner in the back room (no less!) of the El Rancho Restaurant.

Naomi married the second "love of her life," Dwaine (Gerald) Cameron, in 1982. They shared a love of the outdoors, bowling, dancing to Dwaine's favorite song "Elvira," gambling (Naomi's (not) so secret obsession)... and much laughter before Dwaine's untimely passing in 1985.

Later, in an old MHHS classmate, Gerald Freeman, Naomi found a kindred spirit to travel the back roads of Idaho... to see what they could see.

She was blessed to have an enthusiastic travel partner in her sister and best friend, Roberta Teverbaugh. Precious memories were made on their numerous trips and adventures, along with several trips to the West Coast beaches with a group of beloved nieces.

However, not much could top a trip to Jackpot for Naomi. She played the penny slots and had an impressive run of wins (losses were never mentioned). Sharing this passion with her son, Lauren, she continued to scratch lottery tickets at his memorial bench in Legacy Park after his early passing in 2010... convinced that he was pulling strings for her... and she continued to win.

Born into a family with a deep vein of artistic talent, Naomi excelled in painting and enjoyed ceramics. She was a voracious reader and a local Book Club member, played Bunco, enjoyed gardening and sitting on her back patio with her beloved dog and companion, Joey.

She was proceeded in death by her son, Lauren Kencke (Anita) of Boise, father, mother and siblings Wayne, Stan, Colleen, Lail and Lorraine.

She is survived by daughter Klea Jones (Kevin) of Denver, Colo.; son Daniel Kencke (Karen) of Seattle, Wash.; sister Roberta Teverbaugh (Frank) of Richland, Wash.; Step daughters Cindy Secauer (Dennis) and Julie Ellisy (Ahmad), Grandchildren Tory Pacifico (Vincent), Taylor and Tanner Jones, Ryan and Emily Kencke, Cameron and Evan Secauer and Tammie Ellisy. Naomi's first great grandchild is due in April 2016.