Obituary: Naomi Shepard Arnold, 99, of Old Lyme

Naomi Shepard Arnold, 99, of Old Lyme, Connecticut died on December 11, 2015, at home. She was born in New London, Connecticut on August 18, 1916, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Thatcher Shepard. Naomi graduated from Williams Memorial Institute, New London, CT in 1935. She married Nelson B. Arnold in 1937 in St. Joseph Church, New London. Mr. Arnold died in 1986 in New York.

Naomi was a life member of The Lawrence Memorial Hospital, The Women’s Catholic League of Connecticut, Williams Memorial Institute (pre-1955) Alumnae Association, The Williams School Alumnae, Lyme’s Senior Club, Old Lyme, a resident of Lymewood, Old Lyme, and a parishioner of Christ the King Church, Old Lyme.

Naomi was predeceased by her three sons: Douglas Cole Arnold II (1985), George Shepard Arnold (2000), Roger Bromley Arnold (2011) and her great-grand twins, Coral Grace and Tavis Whitney (Brett and Eileen). She was also predeceased by four sisters: Eleanor Crosby, Olivia Shepard, Marie Elion McMahon, Ruth (Kupe) Cushman and her brother Col. Julius Thatcher Shepard.

Naomi is survived by her daughter-in-law Doreen Elliott Arnold of Niantic, CT, her grandchildren Brett (Eileen Bennet), Colby Sr. (Kara Stehle), Sloan (Leah Matzdoff), Jason and Christie. She will be greatly missed by her seven great-grandchildren Alexa, Colby Jr., Lea, Sloan, Bennet, Naomi and Elliotte. She is also survived by five nieces: Susan Greenleaf Shepard Mease (Ret. Col. Jennings Mease), Linda Elion Gunn (Peter), Jackalyn Elion Velardi (David), Marinell Cushman Guazzo Gillen (John) and Ruth Cushman Johnson, three nephews, Attorney Robert B. Elion (Marcia deceased), (Ret.) Col. George Thatcher Shepard (Sally), and (Ret). Col. Phillip Greenleaf Shepard (Ann).

A mass of Christian burial will be held in St. Joseph Church, New London, CT at 11 a.m. on December 17, 2015. The entombment will be in St. Mary Mausoleum, Jefferson Ave., New London, CT.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Lymewood, 249 Boston Post Road, Old Lyme, CT, the Old Lyme Senior Center, Town Woods Road, Old Lyme CT or to the donor’s choice.

The Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Avenue, New London, CT is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Memories and online condolences may be shared with the Arnold family here.