During the early morning hours of August 24, 2013, Naomi Kathryn Kirkendoll passed away at Bethany Home Convalescent Hospital in Ripon, CA. Naomi was 80 years old.
   Naomi was born in the town of McAlester, OK on September 28, 1932. She was oldest of six children born to the late Roy and Belle Richison. Her family moved to California in the 1940’s and settled in Tracy, CA where she attended local schools, married, and started her family.
   Naomi moved to Manteca in 1954. She  began her career in Manteca as a hairdresser in 1967, where she worked   until retiring at the age of 75 in 2008.
    Naomi loved to knit and belonged to a knitting club in Manteca from the 1960s through the 1970s. She continued knitting into 2011, creating several dozen pairs of slippers for her family and friends. This pattern was passed down to her from her mother Belle.
   Naomi was an avid bingo player. She enjoyed playing bingo at Chicken Ranch Indian Casino, Boys & Girls Club of Manteca, and other local bingo halls. She enjoyed being with her family and going on outings until her health declined.
   In addition to her parents, Naomi was preceded in death by brothers Lenvil Glen Richison and Robert Leon Richison, as well as her sister Mildred Wright.
   Naomi is survived by her daughter Linda Kathryn Hawthorne (Curtis), son Milton Dale Kirkendoll, grandchildren Brenna Kathryn Wickham (Carl) and Robert Reynolds, a brother Roy D. Richison, and sister Sheila Trujillo. Naomi is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends that will carry her in their hearts forever.
   A memorial service will be held at the Almond Blossom Estate Clubhouse at 1901 E. Yosemite, Manteca, CA on October 5, 2013 at 1:00 PM. We invite all family and friends to join us in this celebration of Naomi’s life.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Thursday, September 5, 2013