Naomi Jane Buzard, a beloved Freeland resident who once auditioned for the role of Dorothy in the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” and was friend to legendary stars such as Clark Gable and Bob Hope, passed away Oct. 27.
She was 89.
Buzard was born Naomi Jane Wheat in Seattle on May 5, 1922. At age 17, her mother brought her to Hollywood, Calif. to audition for the role of the windswept Kansas farm girl that was later claimed by Judy Garland in the MGM classic.
Clinton resident Lily Tucker said Buzard was a close friend and shared many stories of her days in Hollywood.
“She began singing when she was 3 years old. Her mother was quite a pusher,” Tucker said Tuesday.
Tucker said she met Buzard at a bingo game and called her friend almost every day. Of course, the former singer had plenty of great stories to share. Buzard told Tucker about knowing movie stars such as Clark Gable and the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.
Buzard was married to the Walter H. Foote for 45 years. After his passing, she married Brigadier General Lyman E. Buzard.
Tucker met Buzard shortly after she married the general.
“She was one of my very best friends,” Tucker said.
Tucker, who will be 95 next month, began to cry as she talked about her friend and recalled how, when Buzard began attending the Bayview Senior Center, she took over the role of welcoming everyone to the center. She was the official lively greeter, Tucker said, and eventually received a plaque from the organization for her hospitality.
She was a wonderful person, Tucker said.
“I will miss her. I will just miss her, period.”
Buzard will be cremated and requested that no service be held.
She is survived by her three children, Kelly Foote and wife Shirley, Walter H. Foote Jr. and Naomi J. Vyrostek and her husband Henry; grandchildren Traci Arkell, Naomi Lucente, Robin Weigel and Rachael Guntle and family; great-grandchildren Erica Lucente and Hayley Button; countless Wheats; and her cat, K.C.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation at PO Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239 or the Bayview Senior Center at 14594 SR 525, Langley, WA 98260.
