Remembering Naomi Minagi Kobayashi (1938 – 2025)

We’re creating this page to honor our mom, Naomi Kobayashi, who passed away peacefully on October 3.

Mom didn’t have Alzheimer’s, but she had a deep compassion for others and believed in living out her values—especially generosity, kindness, and connection. Supporting the Alzheimer’s Association feels like a fitting way to carry forward that spirit.

Born in Los Angeles in 1938, Mom grew up during difficult times as the daughter of a single Japanese mother during and after World War II. Those early experiences shaped her steady resilience and empathy for others who struggled. Through every challenge—divorce, illness, and loss—she remained grounded in service and gratitude, often saying, “Bloom where you are planted.”

She loved people, gardens, and handwritten notes. She found joy in small things: black coffee, a new sprout in her Victory Garden, a thoughtful conversation.

By donating, you’re not only honoring her memory—you’re joining us in supporting research, resources, and hope for families living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. We know she’d be touched to see her legacy of care continue in this way.

Thank you for helping us honor our mom by investing in something she believed in: making the world a little more compassionate.