Naomi Nozaki, 89, born in Sacramento, CA, resident of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, passed away on January 12, 2026. She was the beloved daughter of Tomiko and Akira Fukuda.

As a young child, Naomi experienced significant hardship. She and her parents had to relinquish their belongings and were sent away to Tule Lake internment camp near the Oregon border and eventually Amache Camp in Colorado where they spent the duration of WWII in deplorable conditions. After they were released, they remained in Colorado and moved to Denver where Naomi would attend Manual High School (Class of 1953) and play center in the Nisei girls basketball league. She then attended the University of Denver where she excelled as an art student under the tutelage of Vance Kirkland. As a gifted artist, Naomi drew, painted, sculpted, and created mosaics, ceramics, clothing, and jewelry. After graduating in 1957, she moved to Los Angeles and began teaching art at the middle school level. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Hank. Together, they would welcome two children, five grandchildren, and three grand-dogs. While she enjoyed teaching art at Stephen White Junior High, art was being phased out so she returned to school to earn her single-subject teaching credential in mathematics. She went on to teach mathematics at San Pedro High School, where she took great care with her students and ultimately retired. Upon retirement, Naomi took up the game of golf with gusto. She took lessons, researched equipment, analyzed her swing, and was competitive with herself. She enjoyed the game on local courses and on vacations as it gave her the opportunity to talk and spend time with her family, children, and friends.

Naomi was a gentle, wonderful mother and grandmother. She taught her two children to be grateful and encouraged them to do their best. When they were teenagers, she insisted that they each make one dinner per week, which not only forced them to learn how to cook but set them on the path to adulthood. If “listening” was a subject, she would have earned an A+; she always gave thoughtful advice. She was elated to become a grandmother and was always happy to babysit and cook delicious meals for her family. God broke the mold when he made her.

She is survived by her children, Stacey (Randy Stenberg) Nozaki and Douglas (Erica Dickerson) Nozaki; grandchildren, Ryan and Luke Stenberg, and Katherine, Caroline, and Matthew Nozaki; she is also survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10 a.m. at Palos Verdes Baptist Church, 28 Moccasin Lane in Rolling Hills Estates.