R.I.P. Monica...

[MonkeyFunk]

My mom just called to say our neighbor, Monica, passed away yesterday.

Monica was the sweetest lady I've ever known. She was a throwback to the 1940s - in fashion, in makeup, in optimism.

She was a big-busted red-head with bright-red lipstick. She had a shitty marriage and even shittier children, but she was never seen without a big smile and a hug for any kid in the neighborhood.

Every other woman in my neighborhood was Mrs. X or Mrs. Y. But Monica was Monica. She was the happiest woman with the shittiest life I've ever met.

Goodbye, Monica. I loved you.

[idgiehkt]

1. I'm sorry to hear that

that is a very nice tribute to her. Did she pass from natural causes...I ask because she sounds like a young person. :hug:

[MonkeyFunk]

5. She was 75...

thyroid cancer, I'm told. She was in her 30s when I knew her best.

[Karenca]

2. I'm sorry Monkey -

:hug:

[bigwillq]

3. I am sorry about that.

May she rest in peace. :hug:

[ikojo]

4. RIP to your friend and neighbor, Monica

May her memory be for a blessing.

:hug:

[GoneOffShore]

6. Sorry to hear this, Monkeyfunk

R.I.P Monica

:cry:

[gbate]

7. Aw, she sounds lovely.

[MonkeyFunk]

8. She was.

She was very child-like. A knock-knock joke could have her literally convulsing with laughter.

She had the most awful marriage, but it never seemed to affect her. She was the one adult in my neighborhood who treated me like a real person. I was a little gay boy who liked books and art instead of sports. And Monica loved me and would sit down on the stoop and chat with me like I was somebody.

My mother never ever cooked with mushrooms, and Monica once fed me a dish with mushrooms that I liked. And after that, she would walk across the street and bring me her mushroom dish whenever she cooked it.

She was married to a Polish national who mostly ignored her and occasionally beat her. She didn't deserve the life she had. But she always laughed.

[Shine]

9. Blessings to Monica

what a nice tribute. :toast:

[rockymountaindem]

10. My condolences n/t

[tigereye]

11. that is very sweet

I hope she is laughing still and happy somewhere out there.

:hug:

[MonkeyFunk]

12. If there is a heaven

Monica is there, feeding squirrels. She loved squirrels.

[Zookeeper]

13. She sounds wonderful...

You were lucky to have her in your life (and it sounds like you may have appreciated her more than her family did).

My parents had a lot of somewhat older friends, and your Monica reminds me of my Millie. She had been a USO showgirl during WWII and still dressed the part. Tall, busty, peroxide-blonde, big-red lips, whiskey-voice and always up for a party. Millie was *fabulous*!

Hugs to you, Monkey Funk... :hug:

[MonkeyFunk]

14. Yes...

Monica was "fabulous" in every sense of the word. She was the epitome of a WWII showgirl.

[rug]

15. "She was the happiest woman with the shittiest life I've ever met."

An epitaph I would not mind having.

[MonkeyFunk]

16. Try to do it

without the shitty life part.

[Ptah]

17. I'm saddened to learn of your loss, MonkeyFunk

[merh]

18. my condolences, MonkeyFunk

to you and your mom and all who love Monica. :hug:

I hope that your memories give you comfort and help you smile when things are tough, as she always did.

Rest in Peace Monica

[MonkeyFunk]

27. Thank you...

I appreciate it.

[Cabcere]

19. She sounds like an amazing person.

:hug: May she rest in peace.

[wildhorses]

20. i can see her now

in the hereafter...smiling

rip monica

:hug:

[MonkeyFunk]

30. Thank you

that's a nice image.

She's smiling and feeding stray cats and squirrels. She had a sister she adored. It's nice to think they're together.

[SeattleGirl]

21. RIP, Monica. Everyone needs someone like you in their life!

Condolences to you, MonkeyFunk.

[MonkeyFunk]

31. Wouldn't it be great

if every weird little kid had a well-dressed, big-bosomed lady to love him, at least for a few minutes on the stoop?

[greatauntoftriplets]

22. I am so sad for your loss, MF....

Monica sounds like quite a woman. Sounds like she deserved a better life.

[MonkeyFunk]

28. She sure did...

Thanks.

[Zuiderelle]

23. Monica sounds like a heck of a woman.

:hug:

[MonkeyFunk]

37. She was, indeed.

thank you.

[peekaloo]

24. So sorry.

Sounds corny but Monica still seems very much alive inside you MonkeyFunk. :-)

:hug:

RIP Monica.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

25. So sorry to hear that.

May her rejoiing with the earth bring comfort to all.

[asthmaticeog]

26. I'm really sorry to hear that.

:hug:

[MonkeyFunk]

29. Thanks

Once, my family had a surprise birthday party for her.

It was the only party anybody had ever thrown for her in her life. It was simple - a cake and some cheap presents, but for years and years she talked about it as if we'd taken her on a world-cruise.

The sad part is that it took so very little to make her ecstatic, and her family couldn't even bring themselves to do that much.

[Fenris]

32. That's awful.

:(

It's amazing how unappreciated people are in this world.

At least she knew love from your family. I'm sure that meant an unbelievable amount to her. :hug:

[MonkeyFunk]

33. It did mean a lot to her..

but it saddens me to think she died alone. Believe it or not, her husband built a separate apartment in their house to avoid her. Had his own kitchen put in.

Her daughters wouldn't have been there unless she was wearing jewelry they could steal - and Monica couldn't afford any jewelry and nobody would've bought her any. So I'm pretty sure she was alone. It breaks my heart.

Thanks for you good wishes.

[Book Lover]

34. A rec for one swell lady

Thanks for sharing her story with us.

[fizzgig]

35. what a beautiful tribute

to a beautiful woman. she sounds like she was a gem and so much more. i am very sorry about the loss of your friend :hug:

[Lindsey]

36. My sympathies to you and all involved...

it's interesting how some people who seem to go through the worst crap somehow still find joy in life....