Naomi Sweeney

Naomi Catherine Cool was born to Leroy and Ruth Cool on September 29th, 1917. Naomi was raised on a homestead near Sheridan, Wyoming. When she and her brother Darrel reached school age, they rode a horse to a log-cabin schoolhouse. They remained on the homestead until moving to Hardin when Naomi was a junior in high school. Naomi graduated from Hardin High School in 1935. Naomi attended Montana State University where she was president of the A O Pi Sorority and was Treasurer of the class of 1940. She graduated with a Business Degree before moving to Philadelphia where she worked as a secretary during the war. Naomi married the love of her life, Charles Sweeney in Tacoma, Washington on February 26, 1942 before Charles was transferred to the Army Air Corps. Charles was a B-17 Bomber pilot and was shot down over the North Sea and became a prisoner of war. Naomi gave birth to her first child Patrick while Charles was in a German prisoner of war camp. After the war, Naomi and Charles raised their two-year old son Patrick in Hardin, Montana. They made a life for seven years on a farm raising Angus cattle and teaching On-Farm Training for Veterans. They had two more children, Nancy and Kevin. She taught business in Hardin and was a member of P.E.O. for seventy-eight years and held many offices. Naomi was involved in many community organizations in Hardin. One of Naomi's greatest joys was spending time at the family cabin in the Big Horn Mountains with family and friends. Naomi is survived by her daughter, Nancy Keyes, son Kevin (Marnie), and their families including 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles, her brother Darrel, son Patrick and son-in-law Gary Keyes. A memorial for Naomi is being held at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 20th. Please send memorials to Big Horn County Historical Museum, Mayflower Church or a charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at a later date. A special thank you to the staff at Sweetwater Retirement Center.