In Memory of Tomiko Nojima
Tomiko Nojima
Spouse: Cheol-Hi Lee
Children: Chris and Paul
Birthdate: November 11, 1941
Blessing: December 1974
Ascension: May 13, 2022
Seonghwa Ceremony: May 28, 2022
Tomiko was born in Kochi, Japan on November 11,1 941 as the youngest child of Tamotsu and Hideko Nojima. From a young age, she had a passion for music, piano, and history. She was also spirited, confident, and absolutely certain that she wanted to forge her own path in life.
After high school, her path led her to meeting Noriko Oyamada who introduced her to Rev. Sun Myung Moon and the Unification Church, which sparked a life-long devotion to God and to living for the greater good.
In December 1974, Tomiko was blessed in marriage with Cheol-Hi Lee, and together they had two sons—Chris and Paul.
She followed her life-long mentor, Mrs. Mee-shik Choi, to the San Francisco Bay Area upon the birth of her second son, and it was with her support that she raised her young family. As a young mother, she worked hard to raise her growing boys while earning a degree in English Literature from St. Mary’s College.
Throughout her life, Tomiko has been as generous with her time as with her resources. After her boys had grown, Tomiko spent a year in Washington DC working to further the mission of the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), an organization started by Rev. and Mrs. Moon. She was inspired by the many projects that WFWP members had started in order to serve others around the world. Upon her return to her local chapter, she worked consistently to lead the annual fundraiser for The Sun of Mozambique Secondary School in Beira, Mozambique. She also was inspired to support the Leda project in Pantanal, Paraguay.
Tomiko’s devotion to God also led her to become an active participant in the Bay Area interfaith community, and she started the non-profit Women’s Interfaith Circle of Service—a member of the United Religions Initiative Cooperation Circles. Through this, she supported the efforts of many local charitable organizations.
One of Tomiko’s greatest joys was returning to Japan for regular trips with her long-time friends, Kazue Short, Ikue Ohta, and Noriko Oyamada. These last months of her life have been a testament to their enduring friendship, and we are grateful for their support and for the support of the Bay Area Family Church community in aiding Tomiko’s ascension to the spirit world.
For the past two and a half years, Tomiko battled a recurrence of breast cancer. At midnight on May 13, 2022, she ascended peacefully at her home.
Tomiko will be laid to rest at Oze Memorial Park in Japan alongside her beloved mother, Hideko.
Tomiko is survived by her two sons, Chris (Laura) and Paul (Kaz), and four grandchildren—Tomo, Haruka, Emme, and Lisey.
The path that she has forged for us and the legacy that she leaves is to live for the sake of others, believing the truth that human beings belong to one family under God.
Seonghwa Ceremony
Date: Saturday, May 28, 2022 5:00 PM
Location: Bay Area Family Church (2305 Washington Avenue, San Leandro, CA 94577)
Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/UnificationChurchBayArea/ (The live video will be on the top-left of the screen with the word LIVE on top. Click the video to launch the video display.)
Flowers for the ceremony can be sent to the Bay Area Family Church.
Donations in memory of Tomiko Nojima can be made to Women’s Federation for World Peace (wfwp.org), Leda project (ledaproject.com), or United Religions Initiative (uri.org).
If you are attending, please observe the Seonghwa Ceremony attire:
Men: Dark suits
Women: White or cream color clothes
