Nona Ann Hentschel

June 28, 1950 - July 29, 2023

Nona was born June 28, 1950, to Caywood Burris Lindsay and Nona Ethelene McNees. She was a lifelong Colorado resident, graduating from Wasson High School, University of Northern Colorado, and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Nona devoted her professional years to educating children as a reading specialist and 2nd and 5th grade teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary. She radiantly introduced reading as a gateway to new places, activating imagination, compelling young minds’ desire for dreams and entertainment while covertly developing them for academic success, enhanced communication, and so much more. Her time at King Elementary also gifted her with incredible friendships, carpooling buddies, admired mentors, and social enjoyment that filled her heart greatly.

After retiring, Nona channeled her passion for animals into a volunteer docent position at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. This poetic merging of her love of animals and education resulted in incredibly special tours for school groups, community members, visitors, and docent trainees. She treated the Zoo animals and team members as an extended family of sorts, enjoying sharing the Zoo happenings with her actual family and friends. If you had the pleasure of joining one of her tours, you know the pride she put into sharing her knowledge, and it’s clear why the Zoo elected her President during her tenure there.

Nona’s next volunteer endeavor was with the National Mill Dog Rescue, aiding in the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of discarded breeding dogs and educating the public about the harsh realities of the commercial dog breeding industry. She served as an intake specialist when dogs first arrived at the facility, being their first source of love, kindness, and care, something that came easily to her given her years of having dogs and cats in her own home. Nona never met an animal she didn’t love, had upwards of four precious pets in her own home at any given time, and gave them playful nicknames like “Buzzard Lips.”

As an engaged community member, Nona served within two special organizations focused on uplifting women and girls through advocacy, education, and economic security. She participated in P.E.O. (Chapter BO) and AAUW, valuing that friendship was an important cornerstone of each and treasuring the friendships she gained while taking meaningful action. She also found solace in nature belonging to two hiking groups, getting out every Monday and Friday for planned hikes throughout Colorado’s stunning landscape, enjoying miles filled with conversation, comradery, and on the best hikes, canine friends.

Nona was also a voracious reader, belonging to two book groups which exposed her to books she said she never would have otherwise considered. Her interests spanned best sellers, historical fiction, and autobiographies, and she would comically “punish myself to finish” the book in the final day before book group, because she wouldn’t let herself attend the group if she hadn’t read the book and she never wanted to miss the time with her dear friends and fellow readers. That was our Nona!

She was an exceptional woman, and we are so lucky to have had 73 special years with her. Tiny in stature yet a larger-than-life personality. Infectiously vivacious and moving non-stop because she never wanted to miss an opportunity to experience life. Effortlessly spreading her keen sense of humor, intelligence, and friendship.

As we each journey forward, may we be encouraged to hold Nona’s values in our hearts to always be kind to people and animals alike, to champion education and to embrace life with enthusiasm.

Nona was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Caywood Burris Lindsey, Jr. She is survived by her husband, David Hentschel; daughter, Megan Link and son-in-law, Tad Wilson (grandpups Harry and Mr. Pickles); stepdaughter, Donna Hentschel and stepson, Steven Hentschel; and their families; and her beloved dogs Charlie and Beau.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nona’s memory to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo at store.cmzoo.org/donate.asp.

Celebration of Life, 2:00PM, Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Patty Jewett Golf Course, 900 Espanola St, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907.

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