Fonda Rose (Hivick) Kurish, 71, of Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away August 26, 2020 after a short illness. Her husband and friends were by her side. She was born September 24, 1948 in Charleston, West Virginia, Fonda was reared in the small Appalachian community of Camden-On-Gauley, West Virginia. She graduated from Cowen High School, Cowen, West Virginia and was Valedictorian, class of 1966. She received a B.S. in Biology in 1970 and an M.S. in Botany in 1972 from West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. Her professional career started as a Botanist at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The majority of her career was spent in government service as a Special Agent for the Internal Revenue Service in the El Paso Texas office.

After retirement in 2005, Fonda pursued her many hobbies and interests. She was an enthusiastic birder, ardent photographer, and avid traveler who visited all 7 continents and all 50 states. She loved the outdoors, nature, and camping. Fonda was as unique an individual as her name. Always her own person, she had a quick wit and a hearty laugh. Her joie de vivre knew no bounds. She made many friends in her lifetime and her passing leaves a void in many hearts. Fonda was predeceased by her parents, Paul and Madalene Hivick, her brother, William Hivick and her grandmother, Lula Rose. She is survived at home in Colorado Springs by her husband, Dr. John Kurish and canine companion, Drake, stepson Johnny Kurish of Boulder, CO and stepson Ben Kurish of Denver, CO; sister-in-law, Brenda Hivick Bennett, niece Erin (Seth) Wyatt, great nephew Gavin Wyatt, great niece Avery Wyatt, all of Camden-On-Gauley, WV; niece Erica (Matt) Butler great nieces Emily and Bayleigh Butler, great nephew, Owen Butler, all of Newport News, VA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Linda and Dick Waybright, niece Cinda (Paul) Francis, great nephews Patrick, Andrew and Jacob Francis, all of Sandyville, WV; niece Cheryl Hull, great niece Makenna Hull of Leon, WV.

A memorial service will be held Sunday May 30, 2021 at 2:00pm at the Camden Bethel United Methodist Church, Camden-On-Gauley. Family and friends may call from 1:00- 2:00pm on the day of the service at the Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Nature Conservancy or The West Virginia University Foundation allocated to benefit 4-H Camp Caesar in Webster County West Virginia.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.morrisfuneralhomecowenwv.com

Memorial arrangements trusted to the care of Morris Funeral Home.

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