Monica Martin

Monica Martin born May 31st 1974. A dear daughter, sister, niece, cousin, and auntie, has slipped away from the surly bonds of this Earth to touch the face of God on October 21st 2019.  She leaves a huge emptiness in the hearts of all of us who loved her, many who were her friends, and even more who just had a glimmer of her through our family. She was beautiful, smart,  warm and caring. This tiny woman packed a powerful personality. She was bursting with life, vitality and passion. She was argumentative, fierce, and bold, but confident in her views and though exasperating at times she was totally adorable. She discussed with her mom a desire to try things new and came to realize just recently that she was no longer afraid. Monica enjoyed life and was eager to begin a new endeavor in college to explore what more it could offer her. Monica already achieved her Bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and was a loyal Coug through and through. This was seen as she sported a Coug plate on her car that she displayed with pride. Her love for helping others guided her course work to a focus in Human Development; she dedicated her career in making a difference in the lives of young children.  She worked in both the Yakima and Mabton school districts as well as AmeriCorps.  Within these jobs she performed as a College and Career Coach, A Student Academic Coordinator and a Reading Tutor for various age groups.  This work was truly meaningful and satisfied a personal mission to help others. She took great pride in her work especially if she could support at risk youth to find a pathway to higher education.  She also had a heart for giving back, she offered her time and energy as a volunteer with the Junior League and La Casa Hogar as a mentor for Latina women and promoting community advancement while empowering women of color. She was truly beautiful inside and out.  You could feel her energy when she was near.  She adored her Nieces Nia, Nisah, and Ari and had a very special connection with her Nephews Nathaniel and Elijah. She had no children of her own but you would never know it by how she parented, supported, and worried about the growth, health and wellness of each of them.  She had a lot to say about their care and was truly present with each of them as they grew up.  She invested a lot of herself into each of them, she scolded and encouraged, she taught them to drive and ran like a child through the house as if she was their equal, she kept their secrets and treated them as if they were the most important people in her world and they loved her just the same.  Monica’s love for her family was eternal; she adored her Father Frank, Mother Susie, sister Ninnie and her late brother Gordy immensely.  She shared a special bond with each of them that only comes from being a genuinely good-hearted girl with parents who nurtured a love for others and respect for family. The bonds she shared with her mom was of sincere gratitude, they shared a closeness that only a mother and daughter can.  They laughed together and cried over shared pains, silly disagreements and life’s frustrations but shared an understanding of what each other needed if only a warm hug for comfort.  She counted on her mom for all things good and for some reality checks when needed but always knew her mommy had her back no matter what.  Her love for her brother Gordy and sister Ninnie was like most siblings, that of conflict at times, or fearless personal perspectives that came with brash feedback.  They knew to expect the truth from her and that comments made came with love but in the end, they were incredibly close siblings but more important they were one another’s true friend. As young children you could always hear them arguing, or talking together or exchanging knowing glances and laughing about something crazy, but always relying on one another when it mattered. Monica had many nicknames (Moon, Mon, Monix,) given to her by her sibling and family, Ninnie called her Moon, a name from early childhood with personal meaning. She was bubbly, outgoing, vivacious, funny, silly at times and just simply like no other.  We will miss her laugh, her funny little chuckles, and the sparkle in her big brown eyes.  Monica had roots and now she has big beautiful wings, we never thought she’d fly so high so soon and soar beyond our reach but we are at peace in knowing that she knew and loved Jesus and is now free from pain as she sits with him now. Our dearest darling Monica we will miss you forever and can’t wait for the day when we can be together again to laugh, share, hold each other and say I love you.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 pm at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sunnyside, WA.  Burial will be in the Lower Valley Memorial Park in Sunnyside, WA  Those wishing to sign Monica's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com   Smith Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 

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