Naomi Pomeroy, the renowned self-taught chef and culinary matriarch of Portland, tragically passed away at the young age of 49 while tubing on the Willamette River near Corvallis, Oregon. Known for her irreverent streak and high standards, Pomeroy played a pivotal role in shaping Portland's emerging fine dining scene in the mid-2000s. Alongside her husband and fellow restaurateur Kyle Linden Webster, the couple embarked on a leisurely float down the river with a friend when their floats collided with a submerged branch, throwing them into fast-moving water. Despite efforts from rescuers to retrieve her body, strong currents made it impossible. Pomeroy's untimely death has left a deep void in the culinary community, mourning the loss of a visionary chef whose innovative spirit and generosity touched the lives of many.