Pleasanton Woman Soothes Dying With Sweet Lullabies

PLEASANTON, CA — Sweet song can be so soothing, especially for the dying. That's the experience of Barbara Monsler, a Pleasanton senior with the voice and heart of an angel.

As a member of Threshold Choir, 76-year-old Monsler has spent the last 10 years singing melodies at the bedsides of those in their final hours of life. The songbird volunteers her time singing to hospice patients and even newborns who will not survive.

It all began when she sang at her mother's bedside.

"I have sung to many friends and fellow church members over the years, including my mother and father," Monsler said. "My studies in counseling also supported the knowledge that music is 'wired' into us and that hearing is the last sense to go when one is dying. Therefore, connecting by music in the dying transition makes sense and feels right."

Monsler sings lullabies, short and repeated, so they become a soothing meditation. Most are composed by Threshold Choir members, she said.

A professional who previously worked in computer programming, software marketing, and as a marriage and family therapist, Monsler's current volunteer work is something she's been called to do.

"It is my ministry at this time," she said. "When I am singing, I am doing something to help ease, express compassion for, our clients. This is often indicated with slower breathing, relaxed facial expression, etc. That is positive. Our clients are not necessarily suffering just because they are dying.

"Sometimes I don’t feel like going out, but when I do, it energizes me," she added. "It’s a spiritual thing."

Monsler has called Stoneridge Creek senior living community home for the past six years, and many of her clients were at CreekView, an adjacent health center.

Anyone interested in reaching out to Monsler can connect with her through Stoneridge Creek. "I love to get resident requests, knowing that I sing for the dying, not for entertainment," she said.

Threshold Choir International — https://www.thresholdchoir.org/ — also allows anyone to request a sing; requests are referred to the appropriate chapter.