1 Upcoming Event
Mass
JAN
22
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Starts at 10:30 am
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
2540 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
Naomi Cecelia Fortner, a San Diego resident of more than 60 years, passed away peacefully at home on Nov 28, 2025. At 95 years old, Naomi's journey was testament that courage, selfless determination, and love can overcome life's most difficult barriers. Her presence will be deeply missed by all who were touched by her life.
Naomi was born on 10/1/1930 in Pyongyang, Korea, into humble circumstances as Korea was occupied by Japan. Conditions worsened at the end of WW2 as Russia entered the North. Naomi fled south to Seoul where she subsequently attended high school and studied Music at Ehwa Women's University. After the outbreak of the Korean War and in response to the Communist onslaught on Seoul, she fled further south to Busan. Here, Naomi took a clerk job on a US Army base and met a young Corporal named William ("Bill") Fortner. Shortly thereafter, the two were engaged and married while still in Korea. Returning to the US at the end of Bill's deployment, they were blessed with five children and 57 years together.
With a passion for music, Naomi studied opera and sang in the choirs at St. Therese (San Diego) and Sacred Heart (Coronado) Catholic parishes for decades. She and Bill enjoyed ballroom dancing, and Naomi's yard was a testament to her green thumb. However, Naomi's greatest passion was her family. She and Bill worked tirelessly to provide a good home and strong upbringing. Above all, Naomi cherished her family and the life she and Bill had created in the United States.
Naomi is survived by her children Naomi Fortner, Dr. Alexandra Fortner, Helena Weeks, Marcellina Friedrich and husband Glenn, Thomas Fortner and wife Kristina, grandchildren James and wife Elizabeth, Thomas and wife Teresa, Anna, and Grace, and great grandchildren John and Dorothy. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, there's comfort in knowing Naomi is again by Bill's side looking down with admiration at the beautiful lives they created while on Earth.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Catholic Relief Services, www.crs.org, or Save The Music Foundation, www.savethemusic.org.
Funeral mass will take place at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 2540 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110, at 10:30 a.m. on 22 Jan 2026.
Naomi was born on 10/1/1930 in Pyongyang, Korea, into humble circumstances as Korea was occupied by Japan. Conditions worsened at the end of WW2 as Russia entered the North. Naomi fled south to Seoul where she subsequently attended high school and studied Music at Ehwa Women's University. After the outbreak of the Korean War and in response to the Communist onslaught on Seoul, she fled further south to Busan. Here, Naomi took a clerk job on a US Army base and met a young Corporal named William ("Bill") Fortner. Shortly thereafter, the two were engaged and married while still in Korea. Returning to the US at the end of Bill's deployment, they were blessed with five children and 57 years together.
With a passion for music, Naomi studied opera and sang in the choirs at St. Therese (San Diego) and Sacred Heart (Coronado) Catholic parishes for decades. She and Bill enjoyed ballroom dancing, and Naomi's yard was a testament to her green thumb. However, Naomi's greatest passion was her family. She and Bill worked tirelessly to provide a good home and strong upbringing. Above all, Naomi cherished her family and the life she and Bill had created in the United States.
Naomi is survived by her children Naomi Fortner, Dr. Alexandra Fortner, Helena Weeks, Marcellina Friedrich and husband Glenn, Thomas Fortner and wife Kristina, grandchildren James and wife Elizabeth, Thomas and wife Teresa, Anna, and Grace, and great grandchildren John and Dorothy. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, there's comfort in knowing Naomi is again by Bill's side looking down with admiration at the beautiful lives they created while on Earth.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Catholic Relief Services, www.crs.org, or Save The Music Foundation, www.savethemusic.org.
Funeral mass will take place at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 2540 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110, at 10:30 a.m. on 22 Jan 2026.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Naomi Cecelia Fortner, please visit our flower store.
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