Seattle, Washington - Naomi Sue Watanabe Kakiuchi RD, DC, CCP of West Seattle died on July 12th from complications from cancer at age 65. Born on June 15, 1956 in Renton, WA to parents Matsue and Samuel Watanabe of Tukwila and graduated from Tyee High School in 1974. She earned her BS in Nutrition and Food Service Management from Washington State University and started her career as a registered dietitian.

Naomi loved sharing her knowledge of food education mixed with culture through her business, NuCulinary. Specializing in Asian cuisine, she often was a guest chef on Holland America cruise ships and also taught at Uwajimaya, Bastyr University, Bella's Culinary School, Third Place Books and other regional cooking schools. Naomi shared the family tradition of sushi making through her Art of Sushi DVDs that included her mother, Matsue Watanabe, as co-instructor.

If you visited one of the seven urban farmers markets in greater Seattle, you would find Naomi introducing local chefs in her role as the chef program manager for the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance. Her live chef demonstrations highlighted the Northwest's chefs and farmers and provided the how-to for cooking and eating the area's bounty of seasonal and fresh produce.

Naomi was a long-time beloved member of our community. She gave selflessly to help build community nonprofits including Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, Executive Development Institute, Women's Business Exchange and the Seattle chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier in addition to many others. Naomi enjoyed skiing and served as an active leader and ski instructor with the Japanese American community Rokka Ski Club. She was an avid golfer, walker, bike rider, but mostly was a beloved wife, loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She will be greatly missed by all.

Surviving Naomi is husband, Wayton Lim; mother, Matsue Watanabe; brother, Dale L. Watanabe (wife, Carol Anne Yamamoto, daughters, Tana, Ren, Mika Watanabe); sister, Mari Watanabe.

A celebration of life will be held in the Fall. Remembrances can be made to: Nisei Veterans Committee Foundation - nvcfoundation.org; Japan-America Society of the State of Washington- jassw.org; and FareStart - farestart.org.