Oma Kaye (nee Hurtado) Artis, 52, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away peacefully Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013.
She was a native Floridian, born Oct. 30, 1960, to Leon and Nona Hurtado, and moved to Punta Gorda in 1974.
Prior to that, she had lived in Lehigh Acres, Fla., and visited her grandparents (the late Claire and Oma Purdy) in Punta Gorda every weekend. She was listed in the 1976-77 and 1977-78 editions of Who’s Who Among American High School Students, and graduated from Charlotte High School in 1978.
Oma moved to Fayetteville, N.C., where she met and married her husband, Greg Artis. They lived there 10 years before returning to Punta Gorda to care for her ailing father, and she lived the rest of her life here. In 2004, Oma began working for the online publication TruthOut, and then followed its founder, Mr. Marc Ashe, when he left to start Reader Supported News, where she was instrumental in helping him build the new organization. Oma lived life passionately, and would undoubtedly prefer that people celebrate her life rather than mourn her loss.
She is survived by her mother, Nona Hurtado; brother, Ralph Hurtado; sister-in-law, Linh Hurtado, nephew, Rafael Hurtado; cousin, Robin Scoles; stepdaughter, Laura Dobbs; and untold wonderful friends.
Services will be announced at a later date. Please visit www.kays-ponger.com to leave the family condolences and to sign the online guestbook.
Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Oma Kaye and I were best friends until high school, when she moved away. I only saw her once after that, but her impact on my life was enormous. The world will miss her caring spirit and her joy for life. My deepest condolences to Aunt Nona and Ralph. Oma Kaye, wherever you are, I still eat English muffin pizzas. 🙂