Lori Jayne Nobriga Nakamoto Obituary

Lori Jayne Nobriga Nakamoto was born on June 2, 1968 and went peacefully home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at the age of 46 years, 11 months and 29 days young.  She was born in Waimea, Kauai to David Nobriga, Jr. and Solidad Esteban.  She was raised by her grandparents David & Eleanor Nobriga, Sr. in Puhi camp, Kauai.  Along with her brother Douglas, she spent a majority of her youth with her Uncles Mark Nobriga and Anthony Nobriga and Aunties Rosemary Robley and Regina Kaui, her hanai siblings.

She attended Wilcox Elementary, Kauai High School, and the University of Hawaii, where she received her Masters of Education Early Childhood Special Education in 1997.  She spent her 16 year professional career as a Special Educator with Honolulu Community Action Program – Head Start from 1997 to 2013.  She loved being an advocate for kids with special needs and for parents who were overwhelmed with the bureaucratic process.  She loved working alongside the various resource partners within and outside of HCAP. Towards the end of her career she was assigned as a Liaison and temporary manager for the Health and Disabilities team.  She was known as a compassionate manager who truly worked to serve others. She loved serving the underserved and made lasting impacts on many children and families.

In 1989, she met Sean Nakamoto through a friend and via a brief courtship was blessed with the joy of her life, Brandi Vanessa Pi’ilani O Kalani O Napua Nakamoto on December 17, 1989.  On January 13, 1990, Sean and Lori were married by Judge Choy at the steps of the Circuit Court of Hawaii with their families support.  They had their wedding reception at the famous Flamingo Chuckwagon.  Lori and Sean recently celebrated their 25^th silver wedding anniversary this past January and renewed their vows. 

Lori loved her family, especially her daughter Brandi.  She was a great wife, a great mom, a great sister, a great daughter and granddaughter, a great niece, a great cousin, a great aunty and ohana was very important to her. 

Lori was an integral part of a new church plant in October 2012 with New Hope Aloha Pau’ole, where Sean became an associate pastor.  Her role and her serving was to be the best pastor’s wife God called her to be to her husband – to pray for him, to speak life into him, to support him, to call him out at times when needed…Sean was her ministry. 

In October 2012, she was diagnosed with Anal Canal Melanoma, a rare form of melanoma skin cancer that begin inside of the body and not outside.  The prognosis was not good, but Lori committed to glorify God in all things regardless of the circumstances, situations or outcome.  Lori’s cancer was so rare that she was part of a clinical trial drug and was the first one in Hawaii to be part of this drug.  Lori fought the good fight.  She glorified God in times that were rough and times that were good.  She made the most of her time during the duration of her cancer. 

Lori loved God and loved people…all people.  She always made it a point to be concerned more of others than herself.  She lived out the love of Jesus and her legacy will live on through her love of her husband, daughter, family and friends. 

Lori is survived by her husband Sean, daughter Brandi.  Parents David and Allison Nobriga, Jr. and mother Solidad Amos.  Grandparents David and Eleanor Nobriga, Sr. Brothers Douglas Nobriga (Lisa), Davin Nobriga (Rose), and Steven Amos.  Sisters Vanessa Nobriga (deceased), Jasmine Ferris (Kamu) and Christine Green.  Parent in law Ron & Becky (deceased) Nakamoto, brother in law Ryan Nakamoto and sister in law Melanie Pile Nakamoto.  Numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

We would like to especially thank the following people:

Her Care Group – Team Lori, Dr. Clayton Chong & staff, Dr. Ronald Wong & staff, Dr. Victoria Wang, Queens Medical Center 7^th Floor Ewa cancer ward and all the nurses – especially Rosalia, Kathy and Kari, Clarie Yoshida and Dr. Nyun from the Queens Pain & Palliative team, Queen’s Cancer Center and all the nurses, St. Francis Hospice nurses and staff, Dina Martinez, Becky and Dr. Dellinger, Tony Olayer and his lomi lomi hands, all the family and friends who prayed for her, supported her and loved on her through her battle.  A big Aloha Pau’ole (never ending) love to her church ohana at New Hope Aloha Pau’ole. 

Lori finished well.  She lived a full life. She loved all. 

Lori we love you, we miss you, but we know that you are with the Father and we will see you again. 

Joshua 1:9           “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Services are set for Saturday June 13 @ New Hope Oahu Sanctuary, 290 Sand Island Access Road, Honolulu.  Visitation 8:30. Service 10:00am.  Casual attire, no flowers. 

A memorial service will be held in Kauai in July at a to be determined date.