Naomi Tajiri

Naomi Inai Tajiri, wife of prominent Reedley optometrist and inventor Dr. Akira Tajiri, died while being treated for pneumonia on December 7, 2015. Mrs. Tajiri, born in Sacramento, California, on February 1, 1926, was 89 years old. She was the eldest child of George and Takako Inai. The family was initially interned in the Tule Lake Wartime Relocation Center and later moved to the Topaz Relocation Center. After the war, she graduated from the University of Denver in 1949. While an undergraduate, she won the title of Denver Wool Princess for her creation of a woman's wool winter coat. She was known throughout her life for her exceptional skills in sewing, design, ceramics, cooking and baking of all kinds. Petite and reserved, she delighted playing spirited card games with her grandchildren and preparing delicious food for all who came to her table. Nearly everyone who knew her has a favorite recipe from her vast repertoire!

She and Dr. Tajiri were married for 64 years, and settled in Reedley, California in 1951. She is survived by her husband and by her daughters and their families: Allyson and Robert Farrell and son Nicholas; Jill Tajiri Jacobs and Jeff Jacobs; Jeanne and Mark Chikuma, and twin daughters Kinsey and Kaylin Chikuma; Lorraine Tajiri, Drew Glickman, and daughters Kylee and Jolee Glickman; Coleen Tajiri and Barry Liu and children Trevor and Devon Liu. Mrs. Tajiri is also survived by her sister, Susie Nagai, and brother, Robert Inai; sisters-in-law Yoshino Tajiri Hasegawa and Haruno Tajiri Tsuruoka, and a large and loving extended family including an aunt, cousins, nephews, and nieces across many generations and many states.

A funeral service celebrating the life of Naomi Inai Tajiri will be held on Sunday, December 27, 2015, at 4:30 PM, at the United Japanese Christian Church, 136 North Villa Avenue, Clovis, California 93612.

If you would like to share memories and photos of Naomi with family and friends, please go to www.boicefuneralhome.com and look under Obituaries & Services.