Barbara Ann Monrad, 68, a resident of Mount Vernon, passed away unexpectedly at her home on July 2, 2015.
She was born on November 5, 1946 in Mount Vernon, the daughter of Edgar & Agda “Jo” Monrad. She was raised and attended school in Concrete, graduating from Concrete High School with the class of 1965.
She briefly attended WSU, then a dental technical college. She made her home in Seattle where worked as a dental assistant for many years and then as a claims adjuster for King County Medical for 15 years until health issues forced her retirement.
She returned to the Skagit Valley living in Sedro-Woolley where she helped her mother with her affairs, later moving to Mount Vernon.
Barbara was a city girl enjoying the city atmosphere and the shopping. She also enjoyed cooking and baking and doting on her pets.
Barbara is survived by her brothers and their spouses, Bruce & Judy Monrad and Brad & Kathy Monrad all of Concrete; 2 nephews, Steve Monrad and Greg Monrad and wife Wendy and their children, twins Jade & Jesse and Ben; her companion Paul McDill of Mount Vernon and close friends, Vicki Frank and Marilyn Parnella. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A Graveside Inurnment service will be held at Hawthorne Memorial Park in Mount Vernon on Monday, July 13, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Bruce Martin officiating. You are invited to join the family after the service for coffee and light refreshments at the reception hall. Memorials in honor of Barbara are suggested to the American Diabetes Association.
I am greatly saddened and my heart is broken to lose my most long time friend……..and truest of friends, since we started kindergarten together in 1953 (I can still remember the day we met!) and on to high school graduation in 1965. Barb and I played at each other’s home as little girls; we were in Bluebirds together; always went to each other’s birthday parties; and I went with Barb’s family to stay at Warm Beach during the summers. I remember when Barb’s mom was expecting her brother Brad! After some college, I moved to Texas to begin a career as a Flight attendant (that was still in the glory days!). Even moving so far away, Barb and I always stayed in touch and when I would visit Seattle quite often, Barb and I always got together to go out to dinner and have great talks catching up! I came up for her bridal shower and I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. I remember Barb asking me to take care of her wedding dress after the ceremony, (it was very beautiful and special, as her mom had worn it for her wedding to Barb’s dad), I also took what other items that needed to go (I remember lots of candles!). My mom made lovely food trays for Barb (so she’d have food for health reasons) and for the bridal party as we were getting ready for the ceremony. ALL during these years and up to this last Nov. I always received a birthday card from Barb, it was always with a beautiful friendship sentiment, that always touched my heart. Of course, there was always the Christmas card, as well! We would chat on the phone also to keep in touch. When I moved back to Seattle for a short time, Barb and I picked right back up and I am so happy that I got to visit Barb, at her mom’s home in Sedro Woolley and to see her beloved pet Sebastion. Loving our pets with all our might and soul was something we had in common! As well as a love for cooking (Barb was an EXCELLANT cook!) and I loved to eat her delicious food from her beautiful formal china! I was pleased that I was able to have Barb and her mom to my home in Edmonds with some of our mutual friends for a ladies formal afternoon Tea on my china! When I moved back to Texas again, Barb and I still stayed in touch with chatting on the phone and her wonderful letters to me. I have three treasures that Barb gave to me as gifts and they are still sitting out in my home today and are so very, very special to me……I still have the love from her to remind me of what a KIND, SWEET AND THOUGHTFUL FRIEND SHE WAS TO ME. Barb looked on the good and bright side of everything and made others feel happy just to be around her. Along with our shared LOVE OF OUR PETS, cooking, entertaining and both of us being city girls, we also shared Nov. birthdays and both share the middle name of Ann! Barb and I were able to chat quite often this past year and Barb’s kindness always would shine……..she even invited me and my precious little four legged poodle girl, Griffin, (my beloved husband passed away and it is just my girl, Griffin and myself now)…….to come up and stay with them for our fiftieth class reunion this coming Aug. (Barb was always thoughtful to inquire after my son, Craig , his wife and my grandson, Dale, who live five hours from me in Texas, this is a BIG state!). After all the years from 1953, it is not to be, for us to spend anymore time together on this earth. I just hope and pray that God sees fit to let me join Barb in heaven one day. I am so very pleased that Barb had love, friendship, and happy, happy hours with Paul these last couple years. Barb would just sound “filled with happiness” when we talked. God gave her that gift of a HAPPY LIFE (even with health challenges) before He called her home to be with Him. Barbara…….a special angel in heaven. My love is with you, Lane.
After I heard of your heard of your passing I grabbed my senior yearbook and read the page you wrote to . meYou were always such a support to me as I dealt with my family issues. You were a very good friend. I have seldom seen you since then but I always knew where you were and how you were doing because of Sobek. I know you had so much pain in your life and like Vic, I am so glad you had your last two years of life with love and support. You will always be my 409k girl. In the yearbook your brother’s car was in the Blake Chevrolet ad and you wrote “my car” under it. Those were such good times. And how you are on another journey. I can see you now, you and your mom driving down that golden sliver of road, speeding along in that 409, hair blowing in the breeze, heads thrown back laughing gleefully onto your next adventure, one with no pain, no anxiety, no hurt. Only wonderful, white puffy clouds, blue, blue sky and feeling free. You deserve that.
I am so shocked and sad to learn of Barb’s passing. We had many laughs and great experiences when we were both living in Seattle. Her sense of humor was delightful and her loyalty unsurpassed. I last visited with Barb probably five years ago at Tom and Mary Johnson’s summer “fling”.
It is so like all of us CHS graduates to think we will live forever and (unfortunately) we let too many years and events pass only to learn (as I did today) that another friend, schoolmate and wonderful human being has gone on.
My thoughts and prayers are with Barb’s family members as they adjust to life without Barb’s physical presence.
God bless you all …
Sherrie
Barbra was my lifelong friend,when she was young she was so pretty and full of life. We were always glad to see each other, we were classmates at Concrete schools. She was my first girlfriend when we were in grade school,and we always loved each other. I will miss her but she is in a better place.
Almost a week has passed, and I still cannot believe my friend has gone…I guess I expect the phone to ring late at night, a chance to catch up or plan a lunch..she was always a night owl! We got together every month or so all these years..”Friends to the end, we said!” She was my “straight man,” (always laughed the hardest at my jokes, ) my sounding board, my confidante, my “voice of reason” when we were kids, and even sometimes lately!! She was a good girl growing up, and any trouble she ever got into during those days was my fault. “C’mon Barb! Live a little..just follow me!” ,was our mantra and she mostly always did! We had some great times that have continued all of our lives. We even argued like sisters sometimes. She helped me and sat with my family at my children’s weddings, was the first one there when I lost my family members, planned many a birthday celebration for me..always elegant and well done. I was there for her bad times, her health struggles, and the good times too. I was thankful for the love she found with Paul, and how happy her life was this past two years. We both took our friendship for granted sometimes because we knew it was forever. And so it is the end..my dearest friend, I will miss you always. The last thing I said to you on Tuesday, was “Love you!” And on Thursday you were gone. At least I got to say it one more time. Rest in peace..Concrete Girls Forever!!