Made her transition back to spirit on April 1, 2013 after a brief illness. She was 54.
Naomi was a long-time resident of Phoenix. She graduated from West High in 1976 and from there, her life unfolded in a colorful path that eventually led her on a mission of service and love. She was a champion of people, always concerned for the welfare of others and they didn’t have to be related by blood to fall into her care. If they showed up at her front door they were welcome. In fact, for many years there was rarely a time when her house was “empty” because there was almost always another soul or two (or several) who were given shelter in the home Naomi shared with her best friend and husband of 32 years, Albert “TC” Potter.
In 2000, Naomi and TC started the “Sand Dollar Discovery House,” a residential program for women that provides a therapeutic environment offering Cognitive Behavior Treatment to heal the mind, body and spirit from alcohol, substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental health conditions. They eventually invested in three homes surrounding their own to provide safe living conditions for the women in their program, opened up the “Sand Dollar Discovery” thrift store and also provided a concessions booth at local events to generate more income for the program as well as give the women an opportunity to work.
Naomi left this life knowing several graduates of their program have experienced life-changing results through the teachings, examples, and insight she and TC gave to them. Her life has impacted the lives of many and the outpouring of love she was shown by people from all walks of life was amazing. Each one of us are different, perhaps even a little better, for having known her.
She is survived by her soul mate and partner, TC, sons BJ and Kenny Potter, her father, Kenji Yabe and his wife, Jan; sisters Sharlene and Karma Yabe. Naomi’s extended family includes four grandchildren and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by the women of Sand Dollar Discovery House-past and present- to whom she was a mentor, ally, confidant, and friend.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 18th, 2013 at Creative Living Fellowship, 6530 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ (on the west side of 7th street, south of Glendale and just north of Maryland).
In lieu of flowers the family requests your continued support with donations to Naomi and TC’s passion, the “Sand Dollar Discovery House.” Please mail donations to:
Sand Dollar Discovery House
5049 W. Campbell Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85031
623-247-7877
Email: sanddollardiscovery@earthlink.net
With our help, Naomi and TC’s vision of healing can continue for others
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Victoria Arce Ramirez
April 15, 2013 at 8:54 pmPlease accept my deepest sympathies for Naomi’s family and friends.
Her spirit is at peace.
Sharlene Yabe
April 16, 2013 at 4:57 amThank you, Victoria. Please help spread the word about this obituary and Naomi’s memorial. She was loved by a lot of people and we want everyone to have a chance to come celebrate her life as well as be a comfort to each other on May 18th.
Stephanie White
April 19, 2013 at 11:33 pmNaomi had a profound impact on my life. She was my friend, mentor, spiritual leader, and the strongest woman I have ever known. I am an alumni of the Sand Dollar Discovery House, and alive today because of the lessons she taught me. I will miss her dearly. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to T.C. and the rest of her family during this difficult time.
Shea McMeans
May 4, 2013 at 1:35 pmNaomi was most definately one of a kind and will be deeply missed by so very many people. Naomi and TC Potter helped me become the woman, mother, daughter, and friend I’ve always wanted to be and for that I will be FOREVER grateful. This is not goodbye, it is just another journey. I can hear your laughter and the many wise words you shared with me. Thank you Naomi so very much for being who you are. I love you….Namaste
Katherine Stevenson
May 9, 2013 at 2:51 pmI was shocked to hear of the loss of Naomi; a friend to so many and a caring soul. She will be missed by all the knew her. I met Naomi at Creative Living Fellowship and supported her work as she helped to transform lives. We know her spirit lives on in the many people she touched.