As a member of the Greatest Generation, she was quite adventurous. During World War II, while living in Detroit, MI, she tried to disguise herself as a boy so she could join the Civil Air Patrol - they let her make one parachute jump before telling her they were on to her and dismissing her. She rode a BSA motorcycle and drove an Army surplus jeep. She enjoyed outdoor life thanks to her (adopted) parents, and they moved from Detroit to Punta Gorda in 1948. It was in Florida that she met her future husband, Navy veteran Leon Hurtado, and together they started a family in Lehigh Acres.
Nona was an active volunteer at her children's elementary school. She volunteered as a Gray Lady, taking care of children at school who were sick or hurt, and later performed volunteer work in the school's cafeteria. She was active in the PTA, and eventually became president of the school's chapter.
She was also an ordained minister. As such, she experienced the joy of marrying happy young couples. When she returned to Punta Gorda in 1975, she became the head of her late parents' chapel.
She continued to be active in her children's education throughout their time in both junior and senior high school. She attended PTA meetings, met with all of their teachers regularly, and pushed them to achieve academically.
As an altruistic person, she often put the needs of people she wished to help ahead of her own.
She loved nature - she enjoyed bird watching, wildlife, and was an avid conservationist.
She is survived by her son Ralph Hurtado of Westbury, NY, her niece Robin Scoles of Punta Gorda, her nephew Roger Lee Steele of Port Charlotte, and her best friend Shirley Rowell of Punta Gorda.
She was predeceased by her husband Leon Hurtado in 1996 and her daughter, Oma Artis in 2013.
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