North Shore Obituary: Mary Louise Monsen

The following obituary is courtesy of Donnellan Family Funeral Services.

Mary Louise Monsen (nee Ameen) was born on May 15, 1922 in Winnsboro, South Carolina. She was the oldest of six children born to John and Maggie (Sanders) Ameen. Winnsboro was a small southern town and close-knit community and Mary had many fond memories of her childhood. Mary enjoyed school and was an outstanding student. After high school graduation, Mary attended Erskine College for one year then completed her college education at Winthrop College. She studied English and Education. Mary recalled fun times she spent with two of her best friends, Lib and Mamie Stevenson. One time they were caught hitchhiking which didn’t go over very well with her strict parents!

After college graduation, Mary worked at Liberty Mutual Insurance in Spartanburg, S.C. She would frequently drive home on the weekends to help her father in his dry goods store which was located in Great Falls, S.C. One day, a friend of hers set Mary up on a blind date with a serviceman who was stationed at Camp Croft in Spartanburg. They attended a concert at Converse College. This man, Roy C. Monsen, became the love of her life and they were married on April 7, 1946 in Winnsboro, South Carolina. Much to her family’s sadness, the young couple moved to Roy’s hometown, Chicago, IL. Since apartments were hard to come by after the War, she and Roy moved in with his parents, where she learned to cook Roy’s favorite meals. They enjoyed going out for ice cream at Buffalo Ice Cream Parlor. Mary loved the city life! After growing up and living in smaller towns, she enjoyed all that the city had to offer. Eventually, Mary and Roy were able find their own apartment. Soon after that, their first child, Deborah Gail was born. When their second child was due, the young family moved to a new home in Skokie. There, Nancy Louise and Patricia Leah joined the family. Mary was a doting mother and made sure her girls were well-looked after. She often sewed their clothes. It was important to her that her daughters learned to think of others, be kind, and use good manners. This was mostly done by example. Mary also loved to sing! She would often make up her own songs to fit the occasion. One popular song involved peanut butter and jelly! Mary was also very involved in Central Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School, and helping out where needed. Mary was very empathetic and in touch with the needs of her family and friends. She was always willing to bake a meal or one of her famous pound cakes for someone who was ill or in need. Mary felt other’s pain and their joy as well.

When her youngest daughter started school, Mary began getting her feet wet in the workplace. She started out substitute teaching then was hired as the librarian at Old Orchard Junior High School in Skokie. She loved her job and remained there for 24 years. By all accounts, Mary ran a tight ship in the library! It was quite an honor when in the early seventies the OOJH library received an award for the second-best school library in the country. Hubert Humphrey came to present the award to the school. That was an exciting day for Mary. Mary also went on to further her formal education by receiving a Master’s Degree in Library Science from what was then, Rosary College. But for Mary, her family always came first. Even though she led a very busy life, she served dinner for her family every night and they were not allowed to eat until Roy came home from work. She was always there for her family.

After Mary retired, she and Roy traveled, bowled and enjoyed getting together with friends. She also enjoyed reading, taking walks and playing bridge. One of Mary’s greatest joys was being a grandmother to her six grandchildren, Andrew, Lauren, Michael, Matthew, Noah and Jonathan. She had a special way with children.

To those who knew her, she will always hold a special place in their hearts!


Mary A. Monsen (nee Ameen) of Skokie. Devoted wife for 52 years to the late Roy Monsen; loving mother of Deborah (Charles) Ingram, Nancy VanCamp, and Patricia (Jerry) Bohmann; proud grandmother of six: Andrew Gloor, Lauren (Philip) Terranova, Michael VanCamp, Matthew (Hillary), Noah, and Jonathan Bohmann; great grandmother of three: Evelyn, Nolan, and Harper; dear sister of Margaret Cooper of Columbia, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roy, and four siblings: Helen (Frank) Cleaver, John (Bobbie) Ameen, Dr. Saied Ameen and Dr. William Ameen.

Mary adored her family and was known for her beautiful smile.

Memorial Service Thursday, May 28, 12:00 Noon, at Central United Methodist Church Log Cabin, 8237 Kenton Ave., Skokie, IL 60076.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Reading Is Fundamental, Attn: Donations Processing, 1730 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036 or at www.rif.org.

Info: 847-675-1990 or www.donnellanfuneral.com.