Naomi James

April 2^nd 1934 – March 22^nd 2018

Boston, MA

Naomi James was born on April 2, 1934 one of ten children in the small village of Layou in Dominica, West Indies. At eight years old her father died after which she was sent to live with an elderly aunt in Marigot another small village not too far away from her mother and other siblings.  At the age of 15, she ran away from home and eventually made her way to the Roseau the capital of Dominica, where she met Harry Elwin for whom she had three children- Rosamund, Eleanor and Gregory Elwin. Naomi was a strong willed, humble, hardworking, determined and fiercely independent woman. She had a sense of innocence about her which came through by her youthful giggle and laughter. She had a sense of style and loved the colour red. In her younger years, Naomi was an avid reader of romance novels and women s’ magazines. She loved the cinema, where she learned the songs she hummed or sang everyday for over sixty years.

Naomi arrived in Boston, forty years ago thanks to a family member who sponsored by family after a major hurricane in 1979.  Once here, Naomi demonstrated her tenacity and determination to set roots and foundation in her new home country. Like many immigrants, Naomi had dreams of having her own house and home. As a live in Housekeeper working for less than minimum age, no banking institution was willing to give her a mortgage.  However, that did not stop or deter Naomi. She canvassed local shop keepers in the Beacon Hill neighbourhood where she lived and shopped for her employer, telling them her story and convinced them to sign letters of support and recommendation to give to the bank. With pride and determination, she approached her employer and convinced him to co-sign her mortgage loan. Finally, she achieved her goal and became a homeowner.

Naomi became a member of Old West Methodist Church in 1986 , where she remained an active member until her death.  She had many friends in the congregation and her granddaughter Samantha was the first to be baptized there after a fifty year hiatus! Naomi leaves behind six grandchildren; Darvon and Samantha in the United States, Aziza and Tarik in Canada and Naomi and Makaya in France.  She also leaves behind 10 great- grandchildren many of whom have had the privilege of knowing her and have memories of their Gigi to hold on to..

Our family is thankful for all the years of love, friendship and support we received from Naomi, our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.  She will be deeply missed.

Family and friends are invited to Attend Visitation on Friday April 13, 2018 10:00am- 12:00PM in the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington St. Dorchester.  A Funeral Home Service will follow at 12:00PM.  Interment in Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston.