Naomi Myrvaagnes

To view the funeral service recording, click here.

Nechama Suconick Myrvaagnes, known to most as Naomi, was a poet, feminist, violinist, and student of Torah and of movement. 

She was born in Central City Philadelphia, and made lifelong friends at the Akiba school and through her violin teacher. She obtained a PhD in Old English literature, but her heart was more drawn to creative writing. She was especially glad to have a chance to tutor and to teach poetry in public schools as a visiting teacher. She was a scholar in the Brandeis Women’s Studies program and helped create the visiting scholars program.  

She also supported and curated her husband Eric‘s photography, and her son’s many creative projects.  She touched the lives of many friends over many years as well. 

In her last days, she wrote about the value of Hesed, of simple caring. A heart that doesn’t know the rules but simply operates from love, as exemplified by Rivka watering Isaac’s camels. 

She wrote:

Rifka saw, and Rivka acted.  Rivka was impelled forward by the simple motion of her heart.  She is known as the embodiment of Hesed, the loving-kindness that one could say redeems our world.  It is pure, spontaneous, instantaneous.

In her last week, she let go of giving priority to external measures of whether her poems were worthy of publication, and simply shared what she had to share. And that is how she wanted to be remembered. 

She is predeceased by her father Motel Suconick and her mother Estamalka Suconick, and is survived by her husband, Eric Myrvaagnes, and her son Joshua Myrvaagnes, born Yoho.

Services Friday, September 5, 2025 at 10 AM at Shir Hadash, 1310 Centre St., Newton, MA.  Interment to follow at Adath Jeshurun Cemetery, 350 Grove St., West Roxbury.