Amber Michelle Naef, age 34, passed away on Monday, November 20, 2023 at the Winchester Medical Center.
Amber was born July 11, 1989 in Long Branch, NJ. She is the daughter of Michelle (Naef) Clearwater. She earned her Degree in Arts; Social Science from Eastern West Virginia Technical Community College and worked as a Respite Caregiver for the Potomac Highlands Guild.
In addition to her mother Michelle, Amber is also survived by her younger sister and brother, Kacie Clearwater and Josh Clearwater, whom she adoringly referred to as “Sisser and Brudder” on most occasions; her Nana Carol Shrum; loving partner Avery Hawk and his children Kayleigh Hawk and Nickolas Hawk; her uncle Scott Naef and his loving partner Mary Russell; aunt Susan Naef and cousin Timor Yuce; her loving cat companions, whom she fondly referred to as “her babies,” Panks and Flower and also survived by her other loving family members and friends.
Among those fortunate enough to call her a friend, Jessica Johnson stood out as someone who truly understood and cherished the unique essence of Amber. They built a bond that transcended the digital realm, a testament to the genuine connections that she fostered.
Amber was a person of many interests and hobbies. As both an avid reader and a lover of the earth, she often enjoyed an afternoon at her local park reading on her kindle and taking in the fresh air and scenery that surrounded her. If not there, most could find Amber cozied up with her fur babies on her lap, laughing and making playful banter with friends as she played her favorite video games. She loved to keep her hands busy, taking up additional interests such as gardening and crocheting. She loved crystals and their meaning, an interest that stemmed from collecting geodes with her Nana and Pop Pop at a young age. She also had an intense love for music, a connection she most notably shared with her partner Avery, as the two spent a portion of their time together enjoying live-music, and collecting vinyl records.
Amber was the kind of person words could never do the justice of describing. She possessed an extraordinary knack for revealing the authentic texture of human emotion. In her laughter was a gentle melody that effortlessly embraced every space and painted each room with the soft hues of joy, a true spotlight to her unmatched wit. Amber’s mind sparkled with the brilliance of a thousand stories, mirrored only by her unyielding strength in the pursuit of social justice. She was endlessly inquisitive and wise beyond her years. Her soul was filled with a boundless compassion and empathy for others and an unrelenting commitment to fight and advocate for those around her. In her commitment to uplift others, she wielded a silent superpower, a beautiful strength that defined her. Her empathy alone was far greater than any other, and her strength was awe-inspiring, evident in her unwavering love for her family. She embraced them with unconditional love, always striving and fighting for the best, even when faced with life’s challenges. She was the glue that bound them, the foundation that held them up. Her ability to speak candidly, even in difficult moments, reflected her deep commitment to those she held dear. She always remained firmly true to her personality, values, and spirit, regardless of the pressure that she was under to act otherwise. No person could ever compare, or be, or do the things she could. An untapped resource filled with enough knowledge to propel even the smallest of minds toward the most spectacular of endeavors; an absolute inspiration to others, Amber was an excellent person to look up to. Amber was authentically, kaleidoscopically human; She was chaos and cosmos, a perfectly put together mess. And make no mistake, she took the utmost pride in that.
Though she may no longer walk with us, we will find her still in the heat and glow of sunbeams and the wildness of winds. Amber’s threads of love, warmth, and unyielding spirit are forever entwined in the fabric of our memories and hearts.
We loved you then, we love you now, we will love you forever.
All services for Amber will be private.
Please visit obituaries and tribute wall at ompsfuneralhome.com