Monica Walsh Watson
1963-2009
1963-2009
Last February, I received an email from my friend Monica (as did many of her friends and business associates). In it, Monica described how she had been feeling ‘off’ for a few months.
Monica attributed her malaise to the horrid state of the economy, maybe it was due to getting older and consequently she soldiered through for a few months not thinking it serious but it was only when Monica went to her daughter’s school and the school nurse got a look at Monica, Monica realized it could be something more serious.
In short order Monica got tested and a tumor was discovered in her brain. Surgery was arranged to remove the tumor. It came out of nowhere but, Monica sent out an email the day before surgery letting the people in her sphere know about her situation. Monica didn’t want her staff to be deluged with questions regarding her condition.
You’d have to know Monica to understand how very matter-of-fact she was about the whole business (at least outwardly). She had a problem, would have surgery and that would be that. She would be back at work after a short convalescence and hardly break stride.
That’s Monica, it’s the kind of person she was.
There are very few people I have met over the course of my lifetime who have possessed such a zeal, such an incredible reservoir of energy as Monica – akin to a natural phenomenon – so dynamic, so powerful. Everyone who came into Monica’s orbit could not help but feel her influence, it was inescapable. Fast with a quip, smart but also sensitive, Monica was a red headed firecracker.
It was only natural Monica’s business put her in contact with many people (running an employment agency) because Monica was a people person. She made it seem easy and effortless but the truth was Monica was no slouch when it came to doing the hard work necessary to run a successful business.
While I don’t quite remember when I first met Monica (although I believe it was through my friend Mike), I do know I benefited greatly because Monica was a good and dear friend. She was someone all too ready to help people out and over the years I sent many people to Monica who were in dire need of assistance, without fail I saw time and time again my faith in Monica was justified.
Monica bought her fullest efforts to everything she did, there was no such thing as half-stepping where she was concerned. Whether it be as a a mother, a wife, a homemaker, a friend or a business owner, Monica was determined to give it her all and in many ways she set an example for the people around her.
Perhaps there is truth in the old saw about the light that burns the brightest also burns the fastest because I can attest to the fact Monica was a bright light in many people’s lives and the world will be a darker place without her.
She went for the surgery and things didn’t go as planned and over the next several months she fought tenaciously but, there are some battles we cannot win.
While I cannot profess to being the closest in a multitude of friends Monica, her husband Kevin and her family had, I did have the luxury of considering her a good friend. To that end I took the picture above one Saturday morning not too long ago when I was over Monica and Kevin’s house. She leaves behind two young daughters and her husband – a good, strong man Kevin, Monica’s rock throughout a very tough struggle.
I prayed for her while she was sick and I continue to pray for Kevin and the girls as the days pass because I can only imagine how much she will be missed. I know how much I will miss her and that is only a fraction of what they must be feeling. Even now, I find tears coming unbidden because I will very much miss my friend (I started this back in December and could only bring myself to finish it recently).
But again, there’s that thing about burning brightly and I have to say the world will be a little darker without Monica in it. She was a special lady.
3 comments:
Dear PJ,
This is a lovely eulogy to Monica. You have captured the honesty, generosity, compassion.
I worked with Monica at CNS for over a year when CNS was just starting. I left for academia but stayed in touch. It was only at the end of 2007 and 2008 that I lost contact with her as I was coming up for tenure. Yesterday, an accidental outgoing mass email brought an automatic response from Monica saying she was on extended medical leave. When I googled her name, an obituary was the first thing to come up. I was devastated and saddened. I thought Monica would live to be a hundred, all along bringing joy and inspiration to those who had the good luck to encounter her. My deepest condolences go to her family. Thank you for writing in her memory.
I first interviewed with Monica at CNS around 1989 or so, having been referred by a fellow freelancer whose name I have long forgotten and never crossed paths with again. She was in a different, smaller location, then. Freelancing changed in the 90s. Word of mouth did not get as much action, so turning to staffing companies was the only way to go. After a brief nail biting period, she was able to find me some work as a traditional mechanical artist. Computers were becoming the wave of the future but there was still quite a bit of traditional work. As the 90s took hold, I finally got on board the new wave on my own. CNS was always there to fill in the gaps. It is the only staffing company that I have been with for so long. Others have come and gone, but none had the personal loyalty I found with CNS. In the early part of this decade, I walked into the 295 Madison office unannounced and she knew who I was immediately. She also, always knew my voice on the phone. I was not particularly close to her, but always had a great deal of respect for how she ran that business. I knew she was sick only because Kenny had sent out an email asking for donations for a charitable bike ride in her name. Last week, I dropped by CNS because I was in the area. That's when I found out she had passed. I am so sorry for her family. She will be missed.
I have to admit to being a little surprised.
I’m not at all surprised Monica touched people’s lives, rather I am amazed somehow people managed to find their way to my small corner of the web.
In this case, I think it’s important for the people Monica left behind more than anyone - important for them to know Monica is not forgotten.
There is an emptiness, a stillness in people’s lives after they make it through the process of a wake and a funeral. Everything becomes much quieter and they are left alone with their grief to process as best they can.
Knowing others share their burden of grief can make the process less isolating and I will share them with Monica’s family.
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