Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Monica Darlene Katz was born to Shirley and Allen Katz in 1970, at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. She was given the middle name of "Darlene" in honor of her mother's best friend and Godmother, Darlene. When Monica was 3 ½ years old, the family moved to Fountain Valley where she made friends quickly with the boys and girls in the neighborhood. The neighborhood children were happy to go to Monica's house because she had a swing set, a portable swimming pool, and an amazing natural redwood playhouse with French doors, which was hand-made by her father. The kids enjoyed playing grocery store with Monica's little cash register. As a child, Monica started a sweet collection of stuffed bears, which grew over the years. There are many memories of traveling to visit Shirley's family and aunt Elsie's home in Deep River, Washington. The home was next to Salmon Creek and it was beautiful like a storybook, as you'd travel across a bridge onto the property. Monica loved visiting the 80-acre ranch as she used to enjoy wonderful pony rides. She also liked looking out the large picture window and seeing cattle, sheep and dogs. It was America as its best in the 1970's as they'd pick berries, play croquet in the backyard or simply enjoy the beauty of nature. Orange County was fun for Monica, as she loved when her grandparents took her to the merry-go-round. She also enjoyed family trips to Knott's Berry Farm where she loved the pony rides, the wiggle boards and paddleboats. When Monica was 7-years-old, the family adopted little Cupcake, a longhaired Dachshund that would be a family member for the next 15 years.

By the time Monica was in middle school, she shared her talent for painting. At the Orange County Fair, she submitted a ceramic koala bear that she had painted for a competition, while her father, Allen, entered a near identical photo of a koala bear that he had taken at the San Diego Zoo. They won a combined ribbon for their entries. It was a memorable honor and Monica was extremely talented. Her abilities developed further when she was a teenager. In fact, she once painted a complete nativity scene with all of the little animals she had purchased at the pottery shop. She did a beautiful job in painting the tiniest details. Over the years, Monica attended church services and Bible studies. One of her favorite trips was to Catalina Island with a church youth group. She believed in God and she believed in heaven, as she was a devoted Christian with strong beliefs. Even at the dinner table, she created uplifting prayers. She always spoke directly from her heart.

Monica graduated from Huntington Beach Adult High School in 1989, speaking at her graduation ceremonies as she earned the title of class valedictorian. It was an incredible honor. After high school, she was hired to work with children at a church preschool. She really connected with all of the little children. Pursuing higher education, she went on to graduate from Orange Coast College in 1991, earning a two-year degree with the hopes of helping children with disabilities. She worked at Fashion Island for two years followed by three years of work at the Broadway department store. She was often given Carole Little designer clothes to model for customers. For the next seven years, she worked at Target. She first started in the Camera and Sound department and then was moved to the front checkout lines. Monica had excellent skills at customer service. Whatever the customer would ask for, Monica found it, whether it was a CD, movie or tape. She knew how to operate all of the cameras and really enjoyed helping her customers, dedicated to the job. So much so, Target management often awarded her with commendations or a Target bullseye, recognizing her hard work, as she was awesome with every customer. The customers truly appreciated her kindness. While at Target, she became best friends with Gayle, who remembers that Monica was one of the best people you could ever meet. Monica was very understanding, a great listener, and she knew how to make you smile. While working at Target, Monica was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. But, she wasn't a complainer. Instead, she took it in stride and accepted it. She never focused on herself. When she talked to friends or family she always asked first, "How are you?" She had a caring nature, putting everyone else first.

Monica loved Christmas. When she was little, her birthday was her favorite time of the year, but as she became older, her favorite holiday was Christmas. She helped to shop for a real tree each year and she loved helping to decorate the tree with special color schemes. She was a good little designer with a keen eye for aesthetics. She also enjoyed converting the living room into an entire Christmas village with a motorized skating rink and everything. It was incredible. Every Christmas morning, she was up before anyone else. The family played Elvis and Johnny Mathis holiday tunes on Christmas day. They'd start with the socks on the mantle and then hand out gifts. Monica expressed a pure appreciation at every gift whether it was a book or a gift certificate. She was so grateful. In 2004, when her family bought her a brand new silver Suzuki Forenza, she was thrilled!

Monica had many favorites in life. Her favorite television shows were on the Food Network such as "Ace of Cakes" and "Diners & Dives." Her favorite music was country and pop. She liked everything from Elvis Presley's Gospel music to Pink. She owned many CDs of her favorite music. She loved comic books and read the funnies every day. Every Sunday, she read the comics because they made her laugh and smile. Her favorite restaurants were Dominico's Pizza in Long Beach, where she liked the manicotti, and Chris & Pitts Bar-BQ restaurant where she always ordered the chicken fried steak. Her favorite beverages were Iced Tea, 7-Up, Rootbeer and Orange Soda. Her favorite flowers were sunflowers and roses, while her favorite color was purple. She loved listening to comedy. One of her favorite comedians was Craig Ferguson. She always taped his show and watched it the next day. For Monica, it was family and friends first in life. Monica enjoyed lunches with great-aunt Ruth and enjoyed listening to stories from older relatives. She truly had a gift for listening. Monica's mother, Shirley, truly became a trusted friend. They'd go shopping or to the movies together. Two weeks ago, Monica went to see the musical "Mamma Mia" with her mother and her best friend, Gayle. Afterward, the group went to Coco's for dinner and they had a wonderful time, creating memories.

No matter what, Monica made her friends smile. As a result, her friends always looked forward to seeing her. She enjoyed helping people as she had healing hands and offered inspirational moments. She had an attitude in life focused on "What can I do for others?" For Monica, there were no conflicts in politics or religion. She chose Christianity and she shared enthusiasm for her beliefs. If you needed someone to listen, she was a great friend who tried to give you a different view, a positive approach or a new outlook.

Monica was preceded in death by her grandparents and her uncle, Stuart. She is remembered by her parents Shirley and Allen; great-aunt Ruth; cousin Yvonne; and good friends Gayle, Angela, Holli and Linda. A special thanks to the family's neighbor, Ken Bell, for being there when the family needed him the most. Monica will be remembered for being compassionate, understanding, honest, loving and caring. She was the one friend who would be there to help you at a moment's notice. If she were here now, her message would be: "Remember, I love you and always will. Think of me. Don't forget me, because I don't want to forget you." Monica spoke at her uncle's funeral a year and a half ago, and now she has been reunited with him. Her family misses her presence every day, but they are grateful she is no longer in pain. May dear, sweet Monica rest in peace…