Naomi Jane Buzard was born May 5, 1922 in Seattle, and died Oct. 27, 2011 comfortably at home in Freeland, surrounded by loved ones.

She was married to Walter H. Foote (deceased) for 45 years, a Pac Bell manager and Seafair Commodores Commandant.

She is predeceased by three brothers, Orville, Robert, and Kelly Wheat; her parents, Ernest and Helen Wheat; the father of her three children, Walter H. Foote; and her second husband, ret. Brigadier General Lyman E. Buzard.

Naomi attended Holy Names Academy in Seattle before being whisked off to Hollywood at 17 to audition for the role of Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.” She headlined at the Biltmore Bowl in Los Angeles, sang with Bob Hope, and often reminded her family that they owed her their very existence for spurning Mickey Rooney’s advances. Over the years, she performed in several Seattle venues, but focused on raising a family.

She was a devoted and elegant woman who loved animals, music, playing the piano, spending time with friends and family, and telling a good joke.

Naomi 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 Naomi’s cat K.C.

A heart-felt thanks to Home Health & Hospice, Dr. Lee Roof, Father Ric at St. Hubert’s Church, and faithful friends Sally Bigger, Mo and Anita Jerome, Lilly Tucker, Dee and Bud Hill, Stan and Barbara Boreson, and countless others.

Naomi will be cremated and chose not to have a service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation (WAIF) at PO Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239-110, or the Bayview Senior Center at 14594 SR 525, Langley, WA 98260.