To our dear sweet Naomi, 

Some of us have known you since we were 9 years-old, others became your friend in Jr High, and some in high school. Over the decades, despite having to cross state lines, time zones, even continents, each time we reunited, the bond of friendship never wavered. We laughed, cried, cheered each other on, supported each other through challenges, celebrated with joy life’s auspicious events.  

And in this last decade, WhatsApp and Zoom allowed us to connect and share even more often… even play escape games virtually, but it also gave us a front row seat to witness your courageous health battles.  You never complained, you stated your challenges and dealt with them, and moved on to talk about your girls, to ask about our lives, our kids, making jokes without skipping a beat, never an ounce of self-pity.  You fought back from so many improbable situations, you seemed invincible.   

We are brokenhearted to have to say goodbye to you so soon.  But what a legacy you have left in raising your three amazing daughters.  Your love, kindness, courage, and generosity will continue to inspire us…. You will always, ALWAYS, be in our hearts.  

The Canyon Castaways:  Grace, Sam, Nina, Helen, Shannon & Alice

I was living in Europe when I heard about Naomi’s hospitalization with Covid in January 2021. “How unfair!” was my thought, but true to form, Naomi never complained.  She just dealt with each health issue as it came, and there were so many.  Her focus remained on her daughters…most of us would have just bowed to the pain and physical weakness and stayed in bed, but not Naomi…. She somehow found the energy and strength to do things like coordinating the family road trip to take Liv to start college in Oregon.

I look back to 2011, to our group gathering at Hermosa Beach right before my move to Europe, and recall how full of life and physically healthy and strong Naomi was that day.  Her radiant smile lit up the day as she supplied us with food and drinks and boogie boards.  That was a great day.  And ironically, despite all the physical changes as she valiantly fought her numerous ailments, her spirit and love did not wane…. her determination to give all that she could to the people she loved only intensified.  Naomi has lived a truly remarkable life.  She will remain an inspiration to us all to love fiercely, to laugh joyfully, to savor every drop of life that our loved ones offer us.   

Rest in Peace my friend.  You will forever be in my heart.

Then came Lexi… and we were both at 2 kids each.  Nina and Helen as well, also with 2 kids in tow.  What a crazy fun day that was, when all 8 kids were together at Nina’s house.

Fast forward a few more years, and along came Liv for Naomi and Camille for me.  Liv and Camille (maybe because they were both the youngest) both instantly gravitated towards each other despite their age difference.  It was one of my favorite days I have spent with Naomi, as we watched our 6 children play together at her house…..happy as can be.  That was also the first time Naomi told me about her skirmish with cancer.  

That was 20 years ago…. and not surprising that in the span of these past 20 years, I have not heard Naomi talk much about her health struggles, nor about her work.  When we talked, the conversation always drifted towards the joy of her life… her three daughters.  Sometimes she would also talk about Wayne and DeAnne’s kids as well, as she was just as loving and protective with them as she was with her own children.  And once Lexi and Liv had steady boyfriends, Omar and Jordan were considered part of the family, and sometimes even attended the McKissock Sunday family dinners when the girls couldn’t be there.  Naomi beamed whenever she was called “Mama McKissock.”  The friends of her girls gravitated towards her happy generosity, but I’ve always felt they were also drawn to her unwavering principles and no-nonsense expectations of being kind and doing their best. Her girls would say that their mom ran a tight ship.  I think this is parenting at its best…  stern when needed, then warm and loving without limits.  Children thrive in this kind of safe, warm, trustworthy environment.

Naomi and I have been friends since we were 15.  We went through the usual high school stuff…. class projects, study sessions, learning to drive, prom, crushes on boys, beach outings, college applications, etc…   It didn’t surprise me that Naomi went on to become a highly respected neonatologist… she was always bright and caring, and had all the right stuff to become a doctor.  

However, during high school, we never gave motherhood much thought.  Neither of us really talked about getting married or having children.  Not long after I had my two boys, Naomi and John welcomed Ari into the world. And we got to spend a wonderful day at the Phoenix Zoo, as we both happened to be living in Arizona at the same time.  It was clear from that day on that we had very similar approaches to parenting.

For 17 years I’ve been blessed by Mama Mckissock in ways I cannot express. Countless family dinners, ginger bread Christmas parties, and after school hangouts. No matter the event, Naomi always made sure to include me as if I were her own. During a time that was very tumultuous in my family life, she personified unconditional motherly love when I needed it most. Because of her, the flowers blooming in Chicago mean so much more because I knew how much she loved them. My love for my Christmas Dickens village grows because it was inspired by her. Naomi will be missed beyond what words can describe. Her daughters will continue to remind me of her character and legacy.  Warm, welcoming, generous, smart, beautiful, and kind. Naomi, I love you & miss you fiercely everyday. May you rest in eternal peace. Love you forever, Abi

I can say I knew Naomi when - when she and John were residents. I learned so much during the time I worked with Naomi in the NICU at the Copa in Phoenix, sang at their wedding, alternated with two other NNPs to take care of Ari so Naomi could go back to work. Unfortunately I lost track of them years ago.  Naomi was very special, and I know her family, friends, and anyone who ever came in contact with her, will miss her greatly.
I send my very deepest sympathy to Naomi’s family. May your wonderful memories bring you comfort and peace.
Love to you, Nana Bev

I had the honor of working with Dr. Ozaki for only a brief time when I started work in the NICU at Little Company of Mary in late 2018.   The memory she leaves with me is the feeling of kindness. She seemed to embody kindness and you felt it when she was around. I am glad to have known her and to work with her,  even for a short while.

OBITUARY

Naomi K Ozaki-McKissock

November 6, 1964 – April 1, 2026

Westminster Memorial Park & Mortuary

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