Naomi Giesler

Naomi Arline Giesler

Naomi Arline (Massey) Giesler, beloved wife of long time Quartz Hill High School band director, Joe
Giesler, mother of six, grandmother of fourteen and great-grandmother of five, passed away May 12,
2021 at the age of 88. Naomi was a 57-year resident of the Antelope Valley and member of Sacred
Heart Catholic Church.

Naomi was born on January 29, 1933 in Midwest, Wyoming to Bernal and Arline (Edgett) Massey. She
had a rough start in life when at age 2, she was in a head on car/bus collision that claimed the lives of
her mother and maternal grandparents. Newspaper reports of the incident said that she was at first
overlooked by rescuers but “the baby” was found under debris in the rumble seat of the car. God
clearly had other plans for Naomi and after 3 weeks in a coma, she went on to recover. After the
accident, Naomi and her father lived in Lance Creek, WY, an oil town where her father worked. Her
father subsequently married Pearl Mae (Cole) Massey and when he was in the Navy during WWII, Naomi
and Pearl moved to Douglas, WY.

Naomi began a love of music when her father bought her a Steinway piano and she started lessons that
were intended to improve dexterity in her injured hands. She played the piano and tenor saxophone in
elementary and high school and sang beautifully. Naomi graduated from Lusk High School and
attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie majoring in music education. She played in the college
marching band where she met the love of her life, Joe Giesler. She also played in Joe’s “dance band”
performing at college and community events in Laramie and beyond.

Naomi and Joe were married in 1953 and lived in various towns in Wyoming where Joe pursued his
career as a music teacher. They were blessed with the birth of their daughter Jodie a year later,
followed by Don, Larry, Kathy, Tom, and Mary. In August 1964, Naomi, Joe, and the children made the
big move to Southern California when Joe was offered a job as band director of the new Quartz Hill High
School.

Naomi was a dedicated wife and mother raising six children and supporting Joe in his career as a band
director which was often a big part of the family’s everyday life. She kept the Giesler household
organized and running smoothly while Joe worked countless hours developing his band program. Naomi
monitored schoolwork and activities of multiple grade levels, at times spanning elementary school,
junior high school, high school, and college simultaneously. Naomi also taught piano lessons and was a
piano accompanist for many of her children’s solo musical performances.

After Joe’s retirement in 1992, the couple transitioned to a more relaxed lifestyle simply enjoying each
other’s company after the rigors of raising a large family. Naomi and Joe enjoyed attending musical
performances at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, traveling to visit family and friends, baby sitting
and attending grandchildren’s music, sports, and dance events. They also enjoyed numerous trips
throughout Southern California while Joe continued as a parade and music festival judge. Naomi and Joe
were married for 63 years until Joe’s passing in January 2017.

Throughout the years, Naomi was a woman of great faith. She was active in Catholic Daughters of
America at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, and
regularly attended bible studies. Perhaps her most important role was in prayer. She was a member of
several prayer chains, praying for the intentions of family, friends, the community, and our nation. She
remained a prayer warrior until her final days.

Naomi was dearly loved and will be remembered for her grace, humility, dedication to her family,
selflessness, and faith in God. Through life’s ups and downs, including the death of a son, a daughter, an
infant granddaughter, and the love of her life, and through her own health challenges, she accepted
God’s will and remained steadfast in her faith.

Naomi is preceded in death by her mother, father, stepmother, daughter Jodie, infant granddaughter
Mindy Marie, son Don, and husband Joe. She is survived by four of her children and their spouses, Larry
(Kat), Kathy (Frank), Tom (Susan) and Mary (Marc), daughter-in-law Debbie, thirteen grandchildren and
five great-grandchildren.

The Funeral Mass will be held May 22, 2021 at Saint Junipero Serra Church, 42121 60th St. West,
Lancaster, CA 93536 at 11:00 a.m. in the main church. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd
Catholic Cemetery, 43121 70th St. West, Lancaster, CA 93536.