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