Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 29, 1993 TAG: 9310290221
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
And the people there who know her are glad she did.
Naomi Willis, 97, who died Tuesday, was the tour guide for people from the Roanoke Valley on trips to Niagara Falls spanning three decades.
In a newspaper story last month, Willis talked of her travels, which included the yearly bus excursions to Niagara Falls as well as trips to Spain, Israel and almost every state in the United States.
The Comfort Suites Imperial Hotel, Willis' lodging choice on every trip to the Falls, named its fanciest room on top of its new high-rise last year after the lady who brought homemade cakes to the hotel's staff.
The Naomi Willis Suite, so-named with a brass plate, goes for $180 a night.
Willis' tour career started after she cared for a trio of Roanoke families for a total of 59 years.
Born at Dixie Caverns, Willis spent a lifetime caring about - and having a positive influence - on those around her.
"I go back 20, 21 years with her," said Pat Covelli, manager of the Imperial, in September. "She hasn't changed one bit - looks, attitude toward life, anything."
A positive thinker with a sense of humor, traits researchers point to as keys to living longer, Willis offered a taste of her outlook on life when she discussed the unkindness of others in the September story. "They ought to be praising the Lord. Instead of that, we're biting each other in the back. We're not thankful enough, and it's like that all over the world."
by CNB