Tribute

Our darling precious Nori was born in Tampa, Florida to George and Laura Cruz. She Grew up in West Tampa and would live in St. Petersburg Florida before settling in Melbourne, Florida later in her life. Nori’s love of life, people, places, and animals made her so diverse. She graduated in 1973 from Plant High School in Tampa Florida. Nori would go on to get her bachelor’s degree at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Her love of young people and teaching would land her a job teaching Junior High students. A job she thoroughly enjoyed and was sincerely devoted to. She would at times have her own businesses and do a variety of other endeavors. Sprinkled in would be Art, Modeling, Fashion and Cosmetics. Her sense of style, clothing, and appearance was all Nori. Volunteering was a big part of her life, being able to give help to events and organizations close to her heart. One very close was her love of Dogs. From her big dogs to the ones she helped over time, right up to her darling chihuahua Yoda, the K-9 love of her life. Her interests and hobbies ran far and wide. As a lifelong avid reader, she reads, donates books, and helps people with vision issues by giving large print books. She ran marathons and enjoyed yoga. She was a Vegan for life. Sewing was a big part of her art and fashion. Her arts and crafts covered many facets and her expression of herself, and her style was vivid. Music was always in her life, and she had a vast knowledge of the universal language. She would travel to Mexico and Europe. A trip to Cuba would only be natural because of her love and interest in her culture. In 2015 Nori would reunite with Monety, her boyfriend from Plant High. A friendship that was established forty-five years earlier would become the foundation on which their love and life were built. Together the two of them, with Yoda, would have nine wonderful love-filled years. No words can express their bond and love for each other. They had the puzzle of life and love and were just putting the pieces together. All that could fall in place Did. A marriage in 2022 would put all the pieces together. Nori would continue with all that was her and work with her art and fashion. She would volunteer at a record shop where she would help and could have the opportunity to display her self-styled tote bags and t-shirts, art, and rock memorabilia. Always an eye for bringing art and fashion together. Her journals were part of her daily life, as was yoga. Thrift stores were her playgrounds that she loved giving to and buying from. She would arrange packages for friends, family, and loved ones with thoughtful needs and special items, always given with love and kind words. That was Nori’s way. No words could completely describe how special a Lady our Nori was. Her vision and thoughts were very open and free. To help one was natural for her with an open heart.

Friends & Family

Nori is survived by: Her Husband Monety Oatney – Melbourne, Florida; Her Sister Debbie Cruz – St Petersburg, Florida; Her Uncle Victor Cruz – Tampa, Florida; Her Aunt Joyce Cruz – Tampa, Florida; and Numerous Cousins