Naomi Florence Franklin

Naomi Florence Franklin was born in Lewiston, ID, on April 17, 1947, to Victor and Lena Campbell. At age 2, she moved with her family to Spokane, where she spent her life, except for a short time in Tacoma with her first husband.

Naomi's family and friends were deeply saddened by her death on March 17, 2026, from cancer diagnosed in August 2024 (esophageal, progressing to liver), since she had always been a strong, healthy, and vibrant individual.

Naomi's early years were spent living a hardscrabble life in the Rimrock area with few amenities and attending a one-room school (Occident) with six grade levels. She graduated from North Central High School and studied for three years at Washington State University before transferring to Eastern Washington University, where she earned her four-year degree.

Her first job was as a receptionist at Rockwood Clinic, but she later studied for the Federal Civil Service exam and was hired at the U.S. Small Business Administration. Her 28½-year career there began in a clerical position, and she worked her way up through the ranks, taking accounting, business, and managerial classes to attain the position of Loan Portfolio and Liquidation Manager.

After another brief marriage, she met and married her soulmate and life's love, Ronald Franklin. Together, they spent countless hours rebuilding a tumble-down cabin at Newman Lake, turning it into a warm, cozy getaway for entertaining and enjoying peaceful solitude. Ron and Naomi traveled often and always tried to make it an adventure trip, whether skiing, kayaking, hiking, backpacking, or bicycling. Their cycling trips took them to Vermont, Prince Edward Island, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, and the Netherlands. Naomi's dear sister Ruth was often a welcome companion on these trips because of her shared love of adventure travel.

Naomi is survived by her three siblings: Ruth (Joe), Alexander (Kathy), and Daniel (Karen), as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and three grandchildren on Ron's side of the family (Gavin, Lauryl, and Shannon (Garrett)). She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, in 2015.

There will be no funeral service, but a celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at 1213 W 20th, Spokane. Refreshments will be served.