Nona Robinson Becker

Nona was born Nona Cromwell Marley on February 29, 1932 in Dayton, OH.. to mother Rosemary Schachne and father James Miller Marlay. She was raised by her parents Rosemary and Richard (Dick) Robinson. Nona summered in Ponshewaing as a child and enjoyed Crooked Lake and the surrounding area with many friends. She spent summers sailing and swimming in the lakes and rivers. Nona was an avid supporter of all wildlife, especially the ducks and song birds that came to her feeder. She was a financial contributor to many local bird organizations such as Looncorps. Nona was an avid reader and surrounded herself with books.

Nona attended Earlham College in Indiana and later earned a degree in counseling from CMU. In her young adult life Nona worked for her mother as an interior designer through R&R Robinson Interiors of Petoskey, MI. and Naples, FL. During this time she traveled the world buying products for her business and decorated many northern Michigan and Florida homes. Her career changed when she went to work for Community Mental Health in Petoskey where she found her calling in life by helping others less advantaged. She was instrumental in developing the ACT program through CMH. Nona tirelessly advocated for the mentally ill population in Northern Michigan for 28 years, retiring at age 75. Her contributions to the Petoskey area are numerous and deeply felt over many years.

Nona married the love of her life, Fred Becker in 1965 and settled in the home her beloved step-father Dick Robinson built on Crooked Lake. She has remained there enjoying the lake, wildlife and woods of Michigan until her death. She is survived by her sister's three children Allyson Percival (William), Caroline Wilson (Jerry), Alfred W. French IV (Nari) and dozens of cousins.

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