Barbara Monsor, 99, Lake Forest, IL

Barbara Monsor was born in Long Beach, California, to Arthur Potter Allen and Margaret Mansfield Allen. Barbara grew up in San Pedro alongside brothers Arthur and David and sisters Celia and Margery. She began college at 16 at the University of California at Berkeley Studying English and journalism.

She began work at the Redwood Journal in Ukiah, California, then continued at Women’s Day in New York.

She raised a family of six children with Hal Monsor, winding their way from Castro Valley, CA to Westport, CT; through Lansford, PA to Ridgefield, CT, Hudson, Ohio, Rumson, NJ and finally Lake Forest, IL. Their children are Pookie: Margaret Ann Monsor (daughter Catherine Leung Tanabe (Ken), Michael Allen Monsor (son Thomas (Rebecca)), Doodles: Ellen Elizabeth Monsor, Kazoo: Allison Monsor Pasquesi (Tom, son Sam Pasquesi (Anja and little Rosa), daughter Sara Pasquesi Kozomora (Milos), Fizzer: James Monsor (wife Beth and girls: Ann (Chad and newborn Wesley), Claire, Megan (Wyatt), Katie (Joseph) and Woffy: Jonathan Monsor.

Throughout the years Barbara brought her creativity, intelligence, enthusiasm and curiosity to bear on everything she did. Several throughlines appeared throughout her life: singing, sewing, writing, gardening, painting, study, politics and community service. She was interested in nearly everything.

Somewhere in there was a run for State Senate, a seat on a local school board and Independence Center, deep connections in the democratic organizations of Lake County, IL and singing in the choir at Church of the Holy Spirit.

After breast cancer and the loss of beloved Ellen to lymphoma, Barbara divorced and went back to school at University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, earning a Masters of Arts. She went to work with the wonderful people at Youth Guidance in Chicago, an organization that supplies social workers to underserved Chicago area schools.

She had always been attuned to social and cultural structure. A child of the depression, she was well aware of the truths of poverty. Many of those were refreshed through the stories that social workers at Youth Guidance brought back to the office; needs that couldn’t be met by existing social service.

When she retired after 20 years, the dots connected: her knowledge of the effects of childhood poverty, her connections in social service, the democratic infrastructure of Lake County and the people of her hometown. Supported by friends at the Church of the Holy Spirit and energized by those involved in the social service landscape of Lake County, she gathered a dedicated group of volunteers and founded the Mothers Trust Foundation. Barbara was 75 at the time. Scores of volunteers showed up over the years and worked hard. She treasured the friendships they developed. For so many, Barbara set a brilliant example of what to do with one’s “declining” years. She served as President for 18 years, into her 90s.

Following her instincts, she made a difference to thousands of kids. She was true to herself.

We are so fortunate to have been alongside her.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, September 24 at Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest, IL. Interment will be private. Gifts in her memory will be gratefully received and put to life-changing use through the Legacy Fund at The Mothers Trust Foundation. (motherstrustfoundation.org)

Info: Wenban Funeral Home, www.wenbanfh.com or (847)234-0022.