Naomi Towner
May 8, 1940 — June 21, 2018
Naomi Towner
Naomi W. Towner, a nationally known fiber artist residing in Bloomington, died on June 21, 2018, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. Ms. Towner was 78 years old, suffered from several disabilities, and succumbed after a brief illness.
Ms. Towner was born and brought up in Warwick, RI, the daughter of Basil J. Whiting, Sr., a jewelry toolmaker, and Nellie Whiting, a librarian. Ms. Towner was graduated in 1958 from Warwick Veterans Memorial High School and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Textile Design in 1962 from The Rhode Island School of Design. From 1962-63 she earned a Certificate as a Special Foreign Student, Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts at the Foreningen Handarbetets Vanner, Stockholm, Sweden, and from 1963-1965 earned her Master of Fine Arts in Textiles at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
In September, 1966, Ms. Towner joined the faculty of Illinois State University in Normal and retired as a full professor of fiber arts in May, 1999. As a practicing artist, she exhibited widely; and her work resides in numerous individual and institutional collections. She was also a regular on the lecture circuit at artistic events throughout the nation.
Ms. Towner was predeceased by her parents and is survived by her brother, Basil J. Whiting, Jr., a retired executive and consultant; his daughter and her niece, Michaela Whiting Santiago; Michaela's husband, Edward Santiago, and their three children-all residing in Staten Island, NY. She was divorced and had no children.
Her Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington with the Rev. Van McAllister officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the memorial home. Cremation rites have been accorded.
1104 N. Main St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
1104 N. Main St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
Ms. Towner was born and brought up in Warwick, RI, the daughter of Basil J. Whiting, Sr., a jewelry toolmaker, and Nellie Whiting, a librarian. Ms. Towner was graduated in 1958 from Warwick Veterans Memorial High School and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Textile Design in 1962 from The Rhode Island School of Design. From 1962-63 she earned a Certificate as a Special Foreign Student, Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts at the Foreningen Handarbetets Vanner, Stockholm, Sweden, and from 1963-1965 earned her Master of Fine Arts in Textiles at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
In September, 1966, Ms. Towner joined the faculty of Illinois State University in Normal and retired as a full professor of fiber arts in May, 1999. As a practicing artist, she exhibited widely; and her work resides in numerous individual and institutional collections. She was also a regular on the lecture circuit at artistic events throughout the nation.
Ms. Towner was predeceased by her parents and is survived by her brother, Basil J. Whiting, Jr., a retired executive and consultant; his daughter and her niece, Michaela Whiting Santiago; Michaela's husband, Edward Santiago, and their three children-all residing in Staten Island, NY. She was divorced and had no children.
Her Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington with the Rev. Van McAllister officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the memorial home. Cremation rites have been accorded.
Visitation
AUG 18. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CDT)
Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home1104 N. Main St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
Celebration Of Life
AUG 18. 12:00 PM (CDT)
Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home1104 N. Main St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
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