Adios my Friend

Some of you knew, but many did not, my dear friend from High School in Mexico City has been battling breast cancer for 8 years. On Monday the 20th of October she lost the fight. At the young age of  59, she leaves behind her mother and father. 

The back story is how we met and ended up friends in 1970. She was a year ahead of me in high school, we entered the American School in Mexico City, mid-year. Her father a perfumer, my father worked for the CIA. Few things can solidify a friendship more than being deposited in a new school, in a different country. Along with our friend India Johnson from Omaha, Nebraska, we became a threesome. A band of friends in one of the biggest cities in the world, and I like to think that Mexico didn't know what was coming! We hitch-hiked everywhere. Sometimes with India's great dane, a giant beast named "Brandy". We rode horses in the country, shopped in the Zona Rosa and ate donuts at "La Vaca Negra".

After high school I would visit her in New York City. She was a perfumer like her father. Her office was wall to wall oils, herbs and sundry other perfume ingredients. I watched her make top secret perfumes from a recipe. She moved to Chantilly after visiting Virginia, I think the move was one she was very happy with. Mona and Jerry (her husband) helped me a lot with the nursery. Her favorite thing to do was make a great big dinner, complete with a fabulous cake and bring it over to my house so we and the kids had a home made dinner after work. We would chatter long into the night.

 As a treat to ourselves, myself and Mona revisited Mexico City in March of 2013. She was well enough, we saw our old houses and went to Tolantongo. We even stayed with Elin, our friend from high school (and Iceland) that still lives there. Close friends knew she had breast cancer, but I was told to keep it secret.

When her husband died 9 years ago, she moved from Chantilly, Virginia to buy a house where she could care for her mother and father in Maryland. She was their caregiver. Mona was a good soul. A caring, dear friend. Adios mi amiga! Besos y abrazos.

Comments

[Stephanie Brock]

I'm so sorry for your loss I know it's been difficult. I love your story though. Made me smile! Keep remembering the fun times and keep smiling often! Xoxo Steph

[Rebecca Ryan]

Glad the pain is over but this is such a huge loss! It's always great to hear about your adventures with Mona and I love the pictures you chose. We loved the food that came out of Mona's kitchen, especially the chocolately ones where she "baked off all the calories!" Mona was so good to us!

[Siu]

Karen, I'm so sorry for your loss. Keeping you and yours in my prayers. Love, Siu.

[Satya]

So sorry, Karen, that your dear friend is gone. Especially hard, because girlfriends, (the family you choose) are often closer than siblings.

[Karen]

I forgot about the "baked out all of the calories out" Becky. She did say that a lot. And thank-you Satya, Sui, and Steph. It's been a really tough 2 weeks, it's so hard to watch anyone suffer, especially someone who was supposed to be fine and live a long life. I never expected it and don't know how the nurse's and doctors can deal with it day to day. So sad.

[laura mcdonald]

Sending you a big hug Karen. I am so sorry...

[Kim Gibson]

I am so sorry Karen, loss is never easy, even when expected.

[Ann Rice]

I think I remember seeing her at your nursery! I am very sorry for your loss, especially of a dear girlfriend.
They (and dogs) are probably the best friends you will ever have.

[india]

This is a great tribute to remember our dear friend Mona . Thank you so much for caring for her until the end. You have been there for her through the years and through thick and thin. We band of three are now a band of two. I love you my friend. Thank you.
India

[Karen]

Thank-you all for your kindness. It really doesn't matter how much you know the end is near and even when you wish it would end for someone suffering, you feel a real emptiness when they are gone. You just can't prepare for that. Although it might be worse when they depart suddenly and there was no good-bye. India we do have a special bond, even after 44 years. XOX

[Joy B Llewallyn]

I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear friend. I remember her from our visit to Mexico City (India, as well). She will always remain in your heart. Hold the memories of her and they will help to sustain you through this.

[Holly Pastori]

So sorry, Karen. I enjoyed reading your tribute to this wonderful woman and friend. You certainly have an interesting background! Peace to you...

[Ron Lubel]

I was just looking up old friends and was very sad to see that Jerry and Mona had died. I grew up with Jerry in Brooklyn. Through the years he moved away and we lost touch. I remember when he lived with Mona in an apt in Queens.i went to Adelphi univ in garden city.
Jerry and Mona often visited the school.Jerry was 2 yrs older than me. I knew his whole family . We were very close friends growing up in Brooklyn.Did we ever meet? Did you ever visit them in ny?
I remember a friend of mona's visiting . I lived in merrick and went to Adelphi. How did jerry die? Such sad news.
Ron Lubel

[Karen]

Ron, We may have met, I did visit Mona at Adelphi and stayed with them in various locations. Both Mona and Jerry died of cancer. It is sad, Mona died about 7 years after Jerry. Both of them meant a lot to me.

Karen