On Thursday morning, February 24, 2022, Norine Keiko Nomura, beloved wife of Michael Eichenholtz and mother of Paul Eichenholtz, passed away at the age of 72. 

Norine was born on September 13, 1949 in Los Angeles to Mikako and Henry Nomura. She grew up with an older brother, Ikuo, an older sister, Hatsumi, and her younger brother, Jeff. 

She graduated from UCLA before joining the Peace Corps where she taught in Kenya for two years. She later taught at Shonto Navajo Reservation and at various preschools in the SF Bay Area. She worked at Berkeley Public Library for over two decades as a library assistant and library specialist where she met her husband Michael Eichenholtz. She married him on March 20, 1987 and gave birth to their son, Paul Eichenholtz on September 29, 1989. 

Norine loved getting gifts for people and dining out with friends. She enjoyed solving puzzles, singing with the Berkeley Broadway Singers and volunteering to care for cats at The Milo Foundation. She liked traveling to beautiful locations around the world such as Italy, Baja California, New Mexico and Canada. Some of her favorite things included chocolate, Snoopy and Charlie Brown from Peanuts, writing Yelp reviews and cooking for others. Those who knew her remember her as a warm and selfless spirit who never forgot a birthday and always went above and beyond to make someone smile. 

She struggled with many illnesses throughout her life, but she never let her health prevent her from finding joy in being alive.  We will miss our “Rinky” for all the happiness she brought us as a friend, a teacher, a mother and as a wife.