Norma “Naomi” Reynolds, 58, Merriam, Kansas, lost her battle with stage 4 Ovarian cancer on Friday, December 22, 2023. She was born October 15, 1965, in Fairfax, Missouri.

Naomi grew up in rural northwest Missouri, where her parents owned a general merchandise store in Rock Port, Missouri, catering to the farmers and town folk. The family of four lived in the back of the store when she was young. Her parents sold the store when she was 11 and bought a motorhome to travel first to far western states, then to southern states, and finally to Canada.

Naomi graduated from Rock Port High School as valedictorian. She played piano for chorus and participated in multiple sports. She graduated Cum Laude from Missouri Western State College (MWSC) in St. Joseph, Missouri, with a BA in English.

She was editor of the college newspaper her senior year when they won the prestigious Gold Crown Award. She graduated with two emphases and two minors, becoming one of the first music minors to graduate from MWSC.

After working her first job at an engineering firm in Kansas City, she decided to become a lawyer. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law with a JD.

It was while dabbling with her law practice she learned about massage therapy and realized her calling. She graduated from BMSI Institute and began her lifelong journey. She found Dale Alexander and began utilizing his teachings to grow her practice.

She moved to Florida where she also learned, taught, and practiced yoga. The more she learned the more evolved her practice became. She made amazing friendships and referred to her “tribe” in Florida affectionately. She moved back to Merriam and jump started her business again, Muscle Maestro.

As her passion for helping people grew, so did her passion for helping shelter animals find loving homes. She loved volunteering for Unleashed Pet Rescue with delivering puppy grams on Valentine’s Day, participating in puppy yoga classes, and fostering kittens between working a full schedule with her business.

For the past three years she has been a dedicated fixture at the Overland Park Farmers’ Market working with Pearl Family Farm, empowering people with “food for thought” recipes using the fresh ingredients brought weekly to be sold by various vendors. She enjoyed sharing recipes, as well as jokes, each week.

This past summer she joined the pickleball craze and immediately became fast friends with everyone who played pickleball at the Merriam Community Center.

Her infectious smile, and sense of humor, plus athletic ability from playing softball for over 20 years, was a natural fit. And she looked forward to getting to the courts weekly to hone her skill, as well as mingle, and encourage teammates.

Naomi was preceded in death by parents, Norman L Reynolds, Sr., and Catherine (Drake) Reynolds; and brother, Norman L. Reynolds, Jr. She is survived by brother, Donald Reynolds of Florida; half-sister, Mary Kay Karns of Florida; and three nieces.

There will be a celebration of life on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at the Merriam Community Center – Campbell Room,  6040 Slater, Merriam, KS 66202, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Unleashed Pet Rescue, 5918 Broadmoor Street, Mission, KS 66202 in Naomi’s honor. Online condolences may be left at https://www.kccremation.com/ObituaryDetails.aspx?id=36482.