Flora Ellen (Frances) Holt Nugent, 102, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Odon, Indiana. She was born Dec. 31, 1917, to Norvin Frederick and Nellie Marie Toon Holt at their Burns City (Martin County, Indiana) home.
The family moved to Dugger, Indiana, when Flora was 7 as her father was an accountant for the coal mines there. She graduated from Dugger High School in 1935. In 1939 she received a B.S. degree from Purdue University in education to teach home economics, physical education, biology, science and health. She taught in Polaski County, Kingman, at Mentone during World War II, and Greenwood until she attended Iowa State. In 1949, she received her teaching master’s egree from Iowa State at Ames, Iowa. She then taught in the North Daviess Community Schools at Elnora, Plainville, and North Daviess high schools from 1966-74.
She was a member of the Burns City Christian Church, the Elnora Christian Church, the Elnora Eastern Star, Kappa Delta Phi, a teaching sorority, Friendly Neighbors Home Ec. Club in Elmore Tpwnship, Bertha Ketcham Memorial Board for many years, a WWII CAP (Civil Air Patrol) volunteer, and a Life Purdue Alumni member/fan.
She was a good cook and seamstress. She loved to read everything, but especially, the Indianapolis Star and the Wall Street Journal. She loved the adventure of travel. As a young Purdue graduate, she obtained her pilot’s license with the hopes of serving in the Army Air Corp. She passed all the exams/qualifications except that she wasn’t tall enough. She was inspired by the presence and meeting of Amelia Earhart as a guest faculty member on the Purdue campus in 1935-37.
Flora married Russel Martin Nugent Aug. 4, 1949. He preceded her in death June 22, 2011. To their union were born a daughter, Ruth Evelyn (John) Denton of Fishers; a son, Thomas Norvin (Carol) Nugent of Elnora; three grandsons, John Russel (Anna) Denton of Austin, Texas, Thomas Ray Nugent and Lewis Martin Nugent, both of Elnora; three great-grandchildren, Cora, John Russel (Jack), and Hattie Denton. She also leaves several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; two sisters, Phyllis Steinmetz and Helen Poppleton.
A private family service is planned for Saturday, May 16.
Memorial contributions may be made to North Daviess Academic Opportunity Alliance, c/o Daviess County Community Foundation, 320 E. Main St., Washington, IN 47501 or Elnora Christian Church, 201 S. Meridian St., Elnora, IN 47529.
All arrangements were entrusted to Meng Family Funeral Homes in Odon. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.mengfuneralhome.com.
