Naomi Balla's Obituary
Naomi Philippa Balla, 77, Passed away at home on Tuesday 7th February 2017
Naomi was born in Cardiff, United Kingdom on July 31st 1939 to Abraham and Rachel Goldfoot. She was the second of 3 Children.
Naomi was brought up in Cheltenham and went to the Malvern girls school, before studying at Rose Bruford college. She married Leslie Dembo and lived in Bristol. Naomi and Leslie had three children Tanya, Jonathan and Benjamin. After moving the family to Israel Naomi subsequently married Bill Dale and lived happily for many years in London and then Bristol. After the death of Bill she married Leon Balla on 7th November 2004 and moved to Fredericksburg USA.
Naomi has one surviving sibling Elisabeth Shepherd who resides in London. Unfortunately Elisabeth was unable to attend her sister's funeral but on the 14th of February 2017 held prayers at her home where many members of the family and friends attended.
Naomi is remembered by many of her friends and family for her outgoing personality, lively conversation and her excellent hosting. She was a keen cook and loved to socialise at any opportunity. She was an avid reader and regularly went to the theatre and opera. She particularly enjoyed travelling and in fact met Leon when on a cruise.
When moving to America she became a member of the Antioch United church where she dedicated herself to the food pantry contributing with both her time and resources, she particularly enjoyed chatting with the clients. She was a person who liked to be on committees and in her earlier years in Bristol was very involved with an organisation involved with the release of Jews from the Soviet Union .
After Leon's death in 2013 both Church and pantry were a great comfort to her, providing both a valuable purpose and many cherished friends.
Naomi is survived by her children, Jonathan and Benjamin, her sister Elisabeth and her grandchildren Oscar Dembo, Matilda Dembo, Oliver Dembo, Harriet Dembo, Fred Godwin and George Godwin and numerous family members in the United Kingdom.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, her daughter, Tanya Godwin and her loving husbands Bill Dale and Leon Balla.
Funeral services for Naomi Balla were held at Quantico National Cometary at 1:00pm on the 14th February 2017.
In Lieu of any flowers Jonathan and Benjamin request that any expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to The Antioch United Methodist Church food pantry, 138 Kellogg Mill Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22406.
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