Newby Zahradka

Nona Mearl Newby Zahradka passed away April 22. Nona was born Aug. 13, 1917, in Mt. Harris, Colo. Mt. Harris was a “company town” for Victor American Mining Companies. When the coal mines closed, Mt. Harris disappeared. There is only a small memorial overlooking a large vacant area that was once a town between Hayden and Steamboat Springs. Nona’s parents were George W. Newby and Josie Belle Newby. George was a blacksmith/ farrier for ponies used in the coal mines. As a young girl Nona worked in the mine loading coal on to mine cars to earn pocket money. She also set up shop in a small seed shed and taught the neighborhood children. She graduated from Hayden Union High School in 1936, then attended Western State College where she earned a BA and Lifetime Teaching Certificate in 1946, an MA in Special Education in 1959 and an Education Specialist in School Administration in 1968. In 1938 Nona married Paul C. “Mickey” Zahradka. They had two children, George “Mike” Zahradka and Zona Zahradka. Nona’s career as a professional educator spanned 40 years. She taught in Mt. Harris, Ouray, Durango and finally Gunnison. In 1957 Nona began teaching first grade in O’leary School. After three years she began working in Special Education. She retired from RE1J School District as Director of Special Education in June of 1979. Nona was one of the founders of Six Points and served on the Board of Directors for many years. During her career she was part of a group of teachers appointed by the President to travel to Egypt to learn about daily life therea dn then develop curriculum for different grade levels in the U.S. Her membership in numerous organizations — Colorado Education Association, the Association of School Executives, state curriculum boards and other groups — often had her fighting battles with Denver bureaucrats. She fought for her belief that rural  reas often suffer in comparison with larger, metropolitan school districts. After her retirement she and her husband “Mickey” travelled the world as members of Ports of Call Travel Club. They both enjoyed camping in Colorado and the Four Corners area. Nona was preceded in death by her husband in 1999 and her daughter, Zona, in 2003. She is survived by her son George M. and daughter-in-law Barbara; her grandchildren Chr isty Duncan of Fruita; Mickey Slobko of Phoenix; Paul Zahradka of Superior, Colo.; and Katherine E. Kramer of Thousand Oaks, Calif. Nona was a well-known member of Young at Heart. She will be missed by all who knew her. Many thanks to Karen Artaz and Sharon and Kevin Colson for their help and support at this time.