Nona Byrnes

Nona Jane Byrnes, 95, of Loveland died March 10, 2013. She was born September 11, 1917, in Dunlap, Iowa to Dr. Robert and Gladys (Acton) Moore. Nona graduated from Dunlap High School and then attended the University of Iowa, graduating in 1939 with a degree in speech and communication. Following her graduation she taught high school speech and English in Harlan, Iowa. Nona married Dr. C.W. Byrnes in December, 1941.

Nona and Doc Byrnes lived in Dunlap, Iowa, where he was a physician, and together they raised six children-Ann, Jane, Bill, Sara, Mary, and Bob. As a 40 year old mother she returned to the University of Nebraska-Omaha and obtained her master's degree in speech pathology. In 1963 she began her position as a speech pathologist with Loess Hills Area Education Agency in Harlan serving over 750 school aged children with speech and language problems. She gained great satisfaction from seeing children making progress in overcoming their challenges. In 1982, three years after the death of her husband, she retired and relocated to Mesa, Arizona, where her brother and wife, Bob and Gen Moore, lived.

Nona's Arizona years started a new chapter in her life…golfing year round, playing duplicate bridge, and traveling the globe. She enjoyed trips to Africa, India, China, the Amazon and many other countries. At 75 she hiked the Grand Canyon, and at age 78 biked across Denmark. To celebrate her 80th birthday, Nona and her traveling companion enjoyed a Mediterranean boat cruise, toasting her birthday with a swim in the sea. Her children and grandchildren spent many Arizona vacations in Leisure World, Mesa, Arizona, enjoying Nona's retirement life.

In 2007 Nona relocated to Loveland, Colorado to be closer to her family. She continued to play duplicate bridge, do daily cross-word puzzles, express her political opinions, watch golf on TV, and enjoy her children and grandchildren. Every five years Nona's large family gathered to honor her birthday and celebrate the life of their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Byrnes. She loved this time with her family and will be greatly missed at the next reunion.

Nona was predeceased by her husband, Dr. C.W. Byrnes, son, William Byrnes, granddaughter, Christine Lewis-Hastings, parents, siblings, and many friends. She is survived by her four daughters, Ann Zebrowski, Jane Lewis (Robert), Sara Byrnes (David Rodarmel), Mary Byrnes (Larry Curtis), and one son Dr. Robert Byrnes (Mary). She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.