September 23, 1960 - July 17, 2018
Our family is in deep pain and sorrow as we announce the sudden passing of our precious, beloved Monica, who left us so suddenly. She was enjoying a beautiful day of walking on a hiking trail near Campbell River, Vancouver Island, with her daughter Michelle when a falling tree ended her life in an instant.
In shock and deep mourning are her beloved husband and best friend Ross, her daughters Alison (Trevor) of Armstrong, Michelle (Dave) of Kelowna, mother Sigi White of Kamloops, father Neil Kennedy (Linda) of Blackfalds, AB, brother Michael Kennedy (Michele) of Toronto, sister Maureen Woodhouse (Kevin) of Prince George, beloved grandchildren Rachel and Emmitt, nephew Rory (Tiffany) of Kamloops, niece Leah (Kris) of Kelowna, parents-in-law Marvin and Lorraine Marklinger, and Ross' siblings Regan (Hawks Creek) and Andrea of Williams Lake their spouses, and so many friends and colleagues.
Monica was the shining light in daily life for Ross. A deep void stays behind. Her Momsie Sigi is heartbroken, and so is father Neil. Siblings, cousins, extended family and so many friends, both in the Cariboo, Williams Lake and Kamloops areas will miss her lively presence.
Monica lived her life with zest, enthusiasm, love, compassion for people, and an adventurous spirit to the fullest. She skied the steep and deep at Sun Peaks and Revelstoke, biked around Southern New Zealand and Utah, hiked and paddled, all with Ross. She parachuted behind a motorboat, laughed her way down zip lines, and attended more than one polar bear icy water jump on January 1st events. She rarely passed a lake that she did not dive into. She was the Slush Cub Queen 1st prize winner 5 times, consecutively, at Sun Peaks, earning her ski pass that way as a single Mom at that time.
Her many hobbies and crafts, fun activities like postcrossing (hundreds of postcards around the world to connect people with each other) or send a large stuffed animal on a solo journey around the world, via plane, bus, cart - person to person - as a connection of joy with unknown others. One of her many projects was The Little Free Libary on the front lawn, built to perfection by Ross. She packed so much into each year. She was always game for retro-days, dress-up costuming at Sun Peaks, house parties or Halloween. Monica had the style and flair for it, and yet as the tough little woman she was, it was her attrative feminine side that was so charming and amazing. Her impish little fun grin was part of her, always- looking- much- younger- than- she- was persona.
Monica's love of children compelled her to be active as a Big Sister with Big Brothers and Sisters, as well as the Childrens Hospital Variety Club. Her love of adventure travel took her and Ross to Alaska, New Zealand, Iceland, Tahiti, Mexico, Moab and Vegas (US). Her latest project was intense morel mushroom gathering for several weeks of hard and dirty labour to fill her travel piggy bank for the next plan to travel with Ross to Costa Rica. Her most beloved 2 places were Bryce Canyon in Utah and Sun Peaks.
Despite the near disaster of the fires last summer, nearly losing their home, once evacuated herelf, Monica shared her time volunteering (with food preparation and clothing donations sorting) in Kamloops for those others evacuated there. While still living in Kamloops, you could find her, prepared with a box of her sandwiches, distributing them to those in need downtown. She was involved with joy, a great sense of humor, love of suprises and quirky situations or events; ever game to try something new.
Her never-ending devotion and love for her precious children and as Granmama to her grandchildren were out of the ordinary and seemed a daily need for her to express. Alison and Michelle are devastated to loose their Mom so young and so suddently. The bond of mother and 2 daughters seemed to be a daily need, both ways. Her colleagues at the Williams Lake airport knew her as a go-getter, mastering all the unexpected at a small town airport and who took on the task of putting together the float wagon for the parade. Monica was so smart and a quick learner of all things work, hobby, adventure, travel, entertainment and fun. She was never shy of organizing yet another big family event like the last birthday party for Ross (a camo party) and then another one for Momsie Sigi, with 4 generations of friends and family celebrating all that she enjoyed so much herself. Cremation to follow.
Condolences may be expressed with a donation to the Children's Hospital Foundation. At this time the close family will celebrate Monica's life by sharing time together.