Eileen B. Navikas

Eileen Navikas was an American watercolor and mixed-media artist known primarily for her floral pieces, still life, and landscapes. She passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at the age of 85.

Born and raised on a tobacco farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, her artistic journey has spanned several decades and different regions of the United States.

Mrs. Navikas loved sketching from an early age, frequently utilizing whatever materials she could find on her family farm, including the brown paper her father used to bail tobacco.

She began painting seriously with oils after her children started school, studying under local artists like Jay McVey and showcasing her work in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In 1970, noticing that watercolor artists in her classes seemed to be "having more fun" and working at a faster, more dynamic pace, she transitioned completely to watercolor.

Mrs. Navikas pursued formal art instruction at the York Academy of Art and studied art history at Harrisburg Community College. She studied watercolor painting under Nick Ruggieri for 15 years and eventually taught watercolor classes herself in Lancaster for another 15 years.

After relocating to the retirement community of The Villages, Florida, in 2004, she expanded her repertoire to include acrylics, pastels, and colored pencils. She also began integrating her second passion-quilting-into her artwork by creating mixed-media greeting cards that combine fabric and paint.

"I have always felt that being an artist is very rewarding and I have never wanted to jeopardize that love by making being an artist my occupation or simply to win prizes."

- Eileen Navikas

Despite viewing her art as a personal passion rather than a strict commercial business, Navikas has achieved notable regional success:

Her artwork has been featured in numerous outdoor exhibitions and solo shows across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Florida.

She has been a member of several prominent regional groups, including the Paxtang Art Association, the Art Association of Harrisburg, the Lancaster County Art Association, and The Villages Art League (where she was named Artist of the Month).

Her original watercolors and framed floral still lifes frequently appear in regional private collections and corporate spaces, occasionally making appearances in fine art auctions.

She is survived by her children, Cheryl Adamson and Donald W. Shenk (Cheryl); 4 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and her siblings, Lydia Oberholtzer, Janice Brenneman, Nancy Eberly, Karen Forry, Leon Bomberger, and Pheres “Dook” Bomberger. She was preceded in death by her brothers, John and Carl Bomberger.

Relatives and friends will be received by her family after 1:00pm on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543, where a Celebration of Eileen's art and life will begin at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity in memory of Eileen.