Remembering Naomi: A Life Woven with Love, Art, and Community in Santa Cruz

When someone like Naomi Fukuda departs, it leaves a particular kind of silence, doesn't it? A space where a vibrant, generous spirit once resided. Naomi, who peacefully left us on October 27, 2023, just shy of her 90th birthday, was one of those rare individuals whose life truly painted a vivid tapestry—not just for herself, but for everyone fortunate enough to be a thread in its weave. And honestly, her story is one worth telling, brimming with quiet strength and an unwavering dedication to her passions.

Born in Los Angeles back in 1934, Naomi’s early years were, in truth, shaped by the harsh realities faced by Japanese Americans during World War II. Imagine, a young girl, experiencing the upheaval of internment at the Santa Anita Assembly Center and then the Rohwer Relocation Center in Arkansas. It's a chapter many of us can only read about, but for Naomi, it was a lived experience, one that surely instilled a deep resilience. Yet, despite such profound challenges, she emerged, I think, with an even greater capacity for empathy and beauty.

Post-war, the Fukuda family—Naomi, her parents, and her siblings Grace, George, and Frank—found a new beginning in Santa Cruz. This town, with its unique blend of coastal charm and community spirit, would become the backdrop for much of Naomi's remarkable journey. She completed her education at Santa Cruz High, a proud Cardinal through and through, before venturing off to the bright lights of Los Angeles once more, earning a degree from Immaculate Heart College.

But Santa Cruz, it seems, always held a special pull. Naomi returned, not just to live, but to contribute. For decades, she dedicated herself to the Santa Cruz City Schools, a testament, you could say, to her belief in nurturing young minds. And it wasn’t just about the work; it was about the connections, the quiet mentorship, the everyday impact she made in countless lives.

Beyond her professional life, Naomi was, simply put, an artist. Her hands, it seems, were perpetually busy creating, bringing beauty into the world. Her artistry found its truest expression in textiles—quilting, embroidery, knitting, crochet, weaving. Her pieces weren't just craft; they were expressions of her soul, meticulously detailed, vibrant, and always, always infused with a quiet grace. Anyone who saw her work could tell, this was a woman who poured her heart into every stitch, every thread.

Her generosity, too, was a defining characteristic. Naomi was a steadfast supporter of the First Congregational Church of Santa Cruz. More than just a member, she was a pillar, contributing her time, her talents, and her spirit to its community. And what about her family? Ah, family was everything. Naomi was the devoted daughter, sister, and aunt. She cherished her nieces and nephews—Debbie, Mike, David, and Suzanne—and great-nieces and nephews with an unconditional love, taking immense joy in their lives and milestones. Their bond, you could tell, was something truly precious.

Her departure leaves a void, certainly. But it also leaves behind a legacy—a mosaic of kindness, creativity, and steadfast love. She taught us, perhaps without even realizing it, the profound beauty in living a life of purpose, of creating, and of connecting deeply with those around us. Naomi Fukuda, a true Santa Cruz gem, will be profoundly missed, but her spirit, I believe, will continue to inspire for a very long time indeed. A service to celebrate her life will be held in the spring, a fitting time, don't you think, for remembrance and renewal.