Nona Gail Veith Spitzner, of Byron, died peacefully on January 23, 2025. Born on September 14, 1942, to the late Lois and Francis Veith, in St. Peter, Minnesota, Nona spent her childhood in St. James, Minnesota, married her high-school sweetheart, the late Jerome “Jerry” Spitzner, and ultimately settled on a peaceful wooded property in Byron, where together they built a home and family.
Nona was a homemaker during her children’s early years, then began her professional career as a lab technician and quality assurance engineer for Kodak, where she worked until she retired. She received a baccalaureate degree in biology from the University of Rochester and masters degree in statistics from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Religious faith and music were two of Nona’s passions. For most of her adult life she was active in St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Bergen and, later, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Brockport. As a musician, she began as a drummer in high school, then maintained steady practice as a pianist. She played piano for St. Brigid’s Folk Group for many years.
Nona was an avid reader and learner, who was always open to ideas and new adventures. She trained in Isshinryu Karate under Hanshi Cindy Jones, wherein she reached the rank of Ni Dan (2nd degree black belt). Adopting several pets over her lifetime, Nona appreciated the importance of sharing a loving home through animal adoption.
Nona will forever be remembered by her three children, Lara Ezard (Ron) of Byron, Joanna Spitzner of Syracuse, and Dan Spitzner (Cara Meixner) of Harrisonburg, Virginia. She was beloved by her grandchildren, Ben Ezard, Bethany Ezard, Christopher Meixner, Theodora Spitzner, Christian Meixner, and Robert Spitzner, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was sister to the late Gilman Veith (Kaye Jacobs) of Two Harbors, Minnesota, and Marcia (Matt) Matushenko of Anoka, Minnesota.
A service was held in celebration of Nona’s life on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Fowler Funeral Home, 340 West Avenue, Brockport, NY 14420, officiated by the Reverend Krista Cameron. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Nona, please be kind to one another. Nona would also be honored by donations to the Bergen Library and the Batavia Animal Shelter.
