Monica Elisabeth Attermeier Brooks died on Friday, October 10, 2014 at Sierra Vista Regional Health Center in Sierra Vista, Arizona. She was 93.
Monica was born in Cudahy, Wisconsin on New Year’s Day, 1921. She was the fifth of nine children. Her mother Martha was widowed when Monica was five. During the Great Depression, Martha supported her children by working as a milliner in Cudahy. Later, Monica attended Wisconsin State Teachers’ College and taught kindergarten before marrying Frank Edward Brooks, a pilot and captain in the U.S. Air Force. They wed in 1945.
The two were married for 56 years and lived in Tennessee, Florida, Libya, Virginia, and California before finally settling in Arizona. They had four children. Monica returned to her teaching career in the 1970s, teaching kindergarten and special education at Bell Hill and Hennessy schools in Grass Valley, California.
After retiring, Monica volunteered extensively at Telecare in Grass Valley, California and later at the Sierra Vista Library book store in Arizona. Her hobbies included golfing, aerobics, bridge, and crosswords. She enjoyed traveling, first with her husband and later alone. In her late eighties, she journeyed to Berlin, Germany, to attend her granddaughter Nadia’s wedding.
Monica celebrating Thanksgiving with her daughter Carolyn. She was 92.
Monica is predeceased by her husband Frank, her son Barry Jude, her grandson Barry Lee, and seven of her siblings. She is survived by her daughters Ellen and Carolyn, her son Steven, her sister Dolores, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. She will also be missed by her “adopted” daughter Barbara and her devoted caregivers, Rose and Ruby.
Monica’s last birthday: an elegant tea with her daughter Ellen.
Monica’s life will be celebrated at Saint Andrew’s Catholic Church in Sierra Vista, Arizona. She will be buried at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, beside her departed husband. Her family requests that any donations be given to MADD–Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.
I still remember the times that Aunt Monnie and Uncle Frank would visit . They were wonderful people and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Carolyn and the rest of the family. My mother is heartbroken, she feels that she should have been there, but her elbow got in the way. We said a prayer for Monnie and my Mom at Holy Hill today.
Thank you Ed! I was looking through family photos today to begin preparing for the memorial and I saw quite a few of your parents gathering with mine. So many happy memories. We are thinking of Aunt Do daily and hoping she has a full recovery and many active years ahead. I hope to be in Portland in February and I hope I can see her.
My condolences and many blessings.
Thank you Bobby Lee! <3
My condolences, Carolyn! You’ve written a wonderful tribute to someone who sounds like an amazing person. It seems like she lived a long, loving, and very very full life.
Thank you, Irene. She did indeed! She was also present and cognizant–right up till the end. A few hours before she died she even said, “I’m confused!” I said, “Mom, only you would be clear about being confused.” She was so witty and wonderful–so many memories.
Wonderful tribute to your mom! I think of Monica and Frank fondly~ Sending heartfelt Love to you dear Carolyn and your entire family!
Thank you, Kellye Anne! She always asked about you. She has an empty bottle of Barry Lee’s Manuel Brother’s wine in her buffet. Lunch in November?
Thank you so very much for sharing her life with us. You will all be in my prayers!
Thank you for reading this, Joshua.
What an amazing Mother you had, Carolyn. Beautiful, too. Sounds like she lived life to the fullest right up to the end. Much love to you and your family. Losing your Mother is hard – no matter what age you are. Love, P
I will miss her, but as each day passes I am more filled with gratitude for the life she led and the time I got to spend with her–especially these last few years. She went so peacefully, surrounded by love, and in little pain.
Dear Carolyn, Barry, of Blessed Memory, Ellen, and Steven—I was very sorry to hear of Aunt Monnnie’s death. With your daddy in the Air Force, your family was always the most glamorous and peripatetic of all my relatives; it was a big deal for us to drive to Port Washington to eat fish. It was always a treat when we got to see you. Aunt Monnie and Uncle Frank’s legacy shows clearly in the lives of their family, even today spread out all over the globe. She was so fortunate to have her children close, particularly in her last days. No matter how long we have our loved ones, it is never long enough. We miss them so much when they are gone, but I know you would not trade the pain of her loss for the privilege of having shared her life. I pray for your recovery and for the Blessed Repose of Aunt Monnie’s soul.
What beautiful and comforting words, Fritz. She was very fond of you. I still remember how much fun I had visiting you in Houston. Take care, and thanks so much for taking the time to write this.