Naoma Seely Obituary (1924 - 2019)

Naoma Roundy Seely of Provo, Utah, passed away peacefully at Utah Valley Hospital on December 8, 2019, at age 95. She was born on September 8, 1924, in Provo, Utah, to Clayton and Lyda Parcell Roundy. Her childhood was spent happily on her family’s ranch near Wallsburg, Utah, in beautiful Heber Valley. She graduated from Wasatch High School and attended Brigham Young University, where she studied business and art. Naoma married Rex Dean Seely on December 30, 1949. They later divorced. Together they had three children—Greg, Karen, and DeAnn. She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, enthusiastically accepting any calling and going above and beyond to serve and edify. She was everyone’s favorite Primary teacher. A highlight of her life was her mission served at the Washington, D.C., Temple. She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, with all her heart. Her faith in Him never faltered. Naoma was a talented seamstress who meticulously made gorgeous clothing for herself, her children, her grandchildren, and even their dolls. In mid-life she took up oil painting, producing breathtakingly beautiful, prize-winning works. Her family cherishes these masterpieces. Naoma adored her garden and spent many hours there—so many that her neighbors playfully called her “the midnight gardener." Her tiny yard was often described by visitors as the Garden of Eden. Every leaf and petal was precious to her. She mastered patio gardening, producing plentiful tomato crops that she was delighted to share. She was a whiz at word games, routinely besting her competitors at Words with Friends. She will be remembered by friends and family for her selflessness, elegance, intelligence, clever wit, patience, meekness, kindness, positivity, and love. Naoma is survived by her son, Greg (Portia) Seely (Stuart, Florida); her daughters, Karen Richards (Taylorsville, Utah) and DeAnn Smith (Provo, Utah); ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Gay Snow (Farmington, Utah); and her nephew, Clayton (Heidi) Roundy (Woodland Hills, Utah). She was preceded in death by her brother, Stanley Clayton Roundy. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 14, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 North University Avenue, Provo, UT 84604, (801) 405-7444. A viewing will take place at the mortuary on Friday evening, December 13, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Saturday morning one hour prior to services. Naoma will be laid to rest at the Provo City Cemetery.