Naomi Evadney (Mortenson) Shelnut

Naomi Evadny Mortenson Shelnut was born on May 2, 1935 in New York City and went to join our ancestors on August 31, 2017 in Sacramento, California. Present at her bedside during her transition was her beloved daughter Stacey Shelnut-Hendrick, son-in-law Ellsworth Deron Hendrick; grandson Tour? Sylvester Deron Hendrick, whom she adored beyond words; faithful sister Lillian Mortenson Braxton and niece Brenda Braxton. Raised in the Bronx, Naomi was the elder sister to Lillian and Alfred Mortenson. She attended P.S. 54, Prospect Junior High School, Central Commercial High School (later known as Norman Thomas High School) and studied for two years at Herbert H. Lehman College. While at Prospect JHS, Naomi met Sylvester ?Shorty? Shelnut, whom she married on December 22, 1956. For 35 years, until his death in 1992, Naomi and Shorty were a strong, hardworking, and loving couple, and to their union was born Stacey Louise. Naomi was known for her diligent work ethic. Her career began at Metropolitan and Harlem Hospitals and later went on to City College of New York. In 1978, Naomi was very proud to be appointed the Administrative Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Special Programs of The City University of New York. She served in the same role for the Dean for University Affairs and Educational Development. She was then promoted to Higher Education Associate for the Vice Chancellor for Faculty and Staff Relations, the position from which she retired in 1991. Naomi?s retirement was anything but quiet. She was a volunteer for Court-Appointed Special Advocates, Inc. (CASA), East Harlem Tutorial program, The Foundation for AIDS Research, Roundabout Theatre Company, YUM Fresh Food program at Isabella?s Senior Citizen Center, and conducted art workshops all over New York for Elder Craftsman, Inc. and the S.T.A.R. Senior Center, where she was a member. Naomi liked to travel ? going on a number of cruises and trips to Egypt, Japan, Europe (Paris and London), the Caribbean and Central America. An avid crafter, she was an active member of the 3-D Cloth Doll Club, Quilters of Color Network NYC, Empire Quilters, and Manhattan Doll Club. She also enjoyed aqua aerobics with friends and coordinating groups to see the latest Broadway shows. She attended Fort Washington Collegiate Church, identified for its commitment to social justice. Naomi was preceded in death by her husband Sylvester Shelnut; parents Walter Elias Mortenson of St. Croix, Virgin Islands and Lillian Horry Mortenson of Charleston, South Carolina; her brother Alfred Elias Mortenson; and six half-siblings. In addition to those mentioned above, left to mourn are Naomi?s half-sister Melba Mortenson Glover and niece Barbara Taylor Moses; and grand-nieces and nephews. She will be missed by a host of wonderful friends, in-laws (The Hendricks, Herndons, and Bradleys), neighbors, colleagues, and kindred-spirits. Naomi was a force of life and loved by an ever growing circle of family and friends who celebrate her humor, style, candor, loyalty, generosity, determination, compassion, and leadership. She never backed down, gave up, or let it slide. She lived her life ?out loud,? and when asked by her daughter if she had any regrets, her reply was quick, simple and direct??NOT A THING!? Naomi?s remains will be laid to rest with her late husband Sylvester ?Shorty? Shelnut at Mount Holiness Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in her honor to St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105

Naomi Evadney (Mortenson) Shelnut

May 2, 1935 - August 31, 2017