Naomi I. Dworecki

Naomi Inoue Dworecki, 88, of South Bend passed away peacefully on December 25th, 2025, at Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born on Girls’ Day, March 3rd, 1937, in Osaka, Japan. Growing up in wartime and post-war Japan was not easy, but she always felt supported by her mother Tai and father Masaichi. Even then, young Naomi resisted being told what girls "should" do, teaching herself to bike and joining the all-boys track team—a spirit of independence that would eventually bring her to America. In addition to her regular school classes, she took a bus and two streetcars to learn advanced sewing skills, creating both exquisite original garments and clever utilitarian items during her lifetime. She immigrated to the US at the age of 20, later raising her son while earning a business degree in Rhode Island. Along with her second husband, Michael, she raised two daughters in addition to her son in South Bend.

Naomi retired after many years as a Pre-Press Operator at The South Bend Tribune, using her early adopter computer skills in her work there. She was an explorer at heart and enjoyed traveling both solo and with family on numerous cross-country road trips. She loved to garden and cultivate vegetables, fruits, and beautiful flowers. Naomi was also an excellent cook. In addition to sewing, she pursued other creative activities including photography, calligraphy, knitting, crochet, and guitar. Lastly, Naomi loved music of all kinds, particularly the Beatles.

In recent years, she relished going to estate sales and “traveling” to exotic places via YouTube. Her infectious sense of humor often left family and friends in stitches. Most of all, she was a fierce advocate and supporter of her children. She instilled in them her indomitable spirit, her generosity, and her example of surviving and persevering through ups and downs. Naomi’s legacy was one of candid wisdom, weaving together the contemplative nature of eastern philosophy with the practical sensibility of the west.

She is survived by her son, Victor (Pam) Fisher; daughters, Julie (Paul) Harwood and Amie Dworecki; as well as four grandchildren: Laanan Fisher, Amber (Eric) Ward, Andrea (Reid) Bailey, and Alysha (Alex) Muhleisen. Her great grandchildren include Olivia, Evan, Jocelyn, Raylan, Amiyah and Arya. She also loved the pets in her life—her three cats (all named Toto) and her granddog Cody. She was preceded in death by her former husband Michael Dworecki.

Naomi would remark that before she left Japan, her mother told her to look at the stars when she was in distant places and said, “I will be looking at the same stars thinking of you.”  Now we will look at those stars and always remember our mom.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pet Refuge, 4626 S Burnett Dr, South Bend, IN 46614, www.petrefuge.com.

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