Sullivan, Naomi Grace (formerly St. Clair nee Adams)

Sullivan, Naomi Grace (formerly St. Clair nee Adams) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Nov. 25. Naomi was born in 1949 and grew up in Creemore, in the little white house built by her parents at the end of the school yard on Caroline Street. Her father, John Adams, was a preacher and her mother, Olive Price Adams, was an artist. She graduated from Teachers College, married Bruce St. Clair and moved to a hundred-acre forest near Callander to build a log cabin, start a family and a garden all the while attending night school where she earned her Bachelor of Arts with Laurentian University. Naomi’s teaching career would last the rest of her life. She taught at Powassan Junior, South Shore Education Centre and several more (teaching elementary grades, special education and directing operettas). Naomi taught hundreds of children, and eventually the children of those children. With her second husband, Clifford White, she became a boater and explored Lake Nipissing. They rescued a sled dog team and learned to love the lake in the winter, too, sledding and ice fishing. After she retired, she moved to Duntroon to live with her daughter and her family where she decided she was bored and needed to start teaching again – this time at True North Academy. She retired a second time and got married a third time to James Sullivan of Durham. Living in Durham was where Naomi built a wonderful life with Jim, countless Sullivan relatives and great neighbours. She truly never stopped teaching – tutoring her grandchildren and more recently local children throughout this summer of Covid. She was lucky enough to spend a lot of the pandemic on Georgian Bay on the boat with Jim. She had a truly wonderful “retirement”. Best of all, Naomi supported her children and grandchildren with enough love to last their lifetimes. Her joyful laugh and generous heart will be forever missed by her brother, Philip Adams (Yvette Nolan), her children John St. Clair (Danielle) and Rosalyn Campbell (Garry), her stepchildren Dawn Fetherston (Jason) and Daryl Sullivan, her grandchildren Jonathon St. Clair, Rowyn and Angus Campbell and Brett Fetherston. “Nome” will be fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws, as well as countless students and lifelong friends. An outdoor Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. Naomi is at peace now with her loving Creator. Her love of life and learning are lessons we will keep forever in our hearts.