Just do it

Anh Nguyen

BURBANK -- When she was growing up in Ohio, Florence Nos’ father often

told her that if she saw something that needed to be done, she ought to

just do it.

It was a piece of advice she has taken to heart.

Nos, a tireless volunteer for a number of causes in Burbank for many

years, was named the Zonta Club’s Woman of the Year at an award ceremony

Nov. 13 at First United Methodist Church.

Nos, who said she enjoys volunteering her time for programs she

believes in, was surprised by the honor.

“I really feel that there are so many others that have gone by

unnoticed that could have done so much more,” Nos said.

Perhaps, but Nos, who long ago lost count of the volunteer hours she

performs, is clearly doing her part and more to contribute to the social

and spiritual lives of Burbank residents.

Nos serves as liturgical Eucharistic minister and minister to the

sick at St. Finbar Catholic Church. She is a board member of Burbank

Leadership, sits on three committees at the Joslyn Adult Center, tutors

sixth-graders in the Warner Bros. Time to Read program and collects

donations for the Burbank Temporary Aid Center among many other volunteer

activities.

“I think she deserved the award. She worked awfully diligently,” said

Nos’ husband, Rudy, who she credits with giving her the support she needs

to stay actively involved in community work.

The couple has been married for 50 years and have lived in Burbank all

of that time. They have two children, four grandchildren and two

great-grandchildren. Their son, David, is a former president of the

Burbank Board of Education.

Not surprisingly, they plan to spend part of their Thanksgiving

helping to feed the needy at the Joslyn Adult Center.

The Zonta Club, a service group dedicated to improving the status of

women, based its selection for Woman of the Year on the nominees

accomplishments in five categories: civic achievement, cultural

awareness, religious activity, educational advancement and social

welfare.

Lee Bellis, who chaired the event and helped select the “Woman of the

Year,” said Nos was was a worthy selection.

“She just did so very much for the city,” Bellis said. “If there’s

something that needs to be done, she’s the one to do it.”

Zonta’s other “Woman of the Year” nominees were also recognized at

Nov. 13 ceremony. Vilma Barron received the Social Welfare Award, Gwen

Flynn the Cultural Awareness Award, Brenda Lantieri the Religious

Activity Award, and Wendy Vecchiarelli and Lynda Ann Willner shared the

Educational Advancement Award. Midge Centro, Ricki Stambaugh and Ethel

McGee received certificates of recognition.

In addition to being Woman of the Year, Nos received Zonta’s Civic

Achievement Award and certificates from local and state officials.

Not content to rest on her laurels, Nos said she will have to work

harder to show that she appreciates the honor given to her.

“I will try to live up to their expectations of me,” Nos said. “It’s a

lifetime thing.”

THE NOS FILE

Name: Florence Nos

Age: 73

Born: Ohio

Home: South San Fernando District

Family: Nos celebrated her 50th anniversary with her husband, Rudy, in

May. They have two children, Marcia Amoroso and David; grandchildren,

Ted, Wendy, Matthew and Adam; and great-grandchildren, Samantha and

Joshua. Another great-grandchild is on the way.

Hobbies: Reading, crossword puzzles and horse racing