Taka Nomura
Date of birth
Date of death
Meeting
Orange Grove Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (RSOF)
*Date(s) of birth and/or death approximate
Memorial minute
Orange Grove Meeting
1917–2012
Taka Nomura was born in South Pasadena, the youngest of six daughters of Katsuzo and Fusano Kawatsu. She lived in Southern California for most of her life except for a period during WWII when she and her family were in the Gila River (relocation) Camp in Arizona and again when they lived in Hinsdale, Illinois. She and Michy Nomura were married for seventy-two years and had two children, Christine and Stephen.
In 1945 Taka started working as an assistant teacher at what is now Pacific Oaks College. At the time Pacific Oaks was a preschool. In addition it became a teaching facility for early childhood education. Pacific Oaks gained college accreditation, and Taka was one of the first to be graduated.
During the early 1960's, Taka was asked to volunteer at a fledging program at the Orange Grove Meeting House in Pasadena. Mothers' Club was a place where low income mothers, who were often also single parents, could come with their children for support, education, and sharing. As the program grew there was more need for services for the children. Enter Taka Nomura. With the help of Quakers at the Meetinghouse and others, the Mothers' Club grew in size and offered quality education for both mothers and children. Taka stressed the importance of professional early childhood educators for the Mothers' Club. She wrote a book, Taka Tips, which offers common sense advice for child rearing.
Taka loved people in general and children especially. Her volunteer experiences were an extension of her professional life: reading to elementary school children and giving nature talks. She loved nature, observing animals and plants, and raised silkworms for her classes. She and Michy had many young people live in their home for extended periods while they attended school or worked. Their home was always full of people.
Taka attended Orange Grove Meeting for many years. She became a member in 1988 and served on several Meeting committees.
In 1945 Taka started working as an assistant teacher at what is now Pacific Oaks College. At the time Pacific Oaks was a preschool. In addition it became a teaching facility for early childhood education. Pacific Oaks gained college accreditation, and Taka was one of the first to be graduated.
During the early 1960's, Taka was asked to volunteer at a fledging program at the Orange Grove Meeting House in Pasadena. Mothers' Club was a place where low income mothers, who were often also single parents, could come with their children for support, education, and sharing. As the program grew there was more need for services for the children. Enter Taka Nomura. With the help of Quakers at the Meetinghouse and others, the Mothers' Club grew in size and offered quality education for both mothers and children. Taka stressed the importance of professional early childhood educators for the Mothers' Club. She wrote a book, Taka Tips, which offers common sense advice for child rearing.
Taka loved people in general and children especially. Her volunteer experiences were an extension of her professional life: reading to elementary school children and giving nature talks. She loved nature, observing animals and plants, and raised silkworms for her classes. She and Michy had many young people live in their home for extended periods while they attended school or worked. Their home was always full of people.
Taka attended Orange Grove Meeting for many years. She became a member in 1988 and served on several Meeting committees.