Memorial Trees
A
Anonymous
September 18, 2024
T
The staff at Simple Cremation
September 06, 2024
Memorial trees planted for:
Monica Jo Grabrian
<p>Monica Jo Grabrian, 75, passed away from cancer with her daughters by her side on Monday, September 2, 2024, at her home in Helena, Montana. </p><p>The youngest of four children, Monica was born to Martin and Anne Grabrian in Denver, Colorado on June 26, 1949. She grew up in Evergreen, Colorado, graduating from Evergreen High School in 1967. She attended Loretto Heights College in Denver, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Upon graduation, she worked as an ICU nurse at a Catholic hospital in West Virginia. A few years later, she returned to Colorado to work at a rural hospital in Cheyenne Wells, where she met her future husband, Dan Keefe. Monica and Dan moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where they raised two daughters, Angela and Kristina. Monica worked in Fort Collins through Poudre Valley Hospital and eventually went back to school earning her Master’s Degree in Nursing from University of Colorado - Denver, becoming a certified Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist with independent Prescriptive Authority. She ran her own practice for nearly 25 years and was a widely respected therapist. She later decided to move to Helena, Montana in 2010 to be near her daughter Angela’s family and there she stayed. </p><p>Monica always had a great affection for animals and nature. Growing up in Evergreen, her ragamuffin mutt, Chee Chee, stole her heart, and she was never without a pet dog or cat around since then. She had a special fondness for Great Pyrenees, and had 9 of them as her gentle protectors as well as her closest companions over the last 35 years. More than once, she had 3 of these gentle giants living in her house. Outside she took immaculate care of her yard, and carved out space for birds and other critters. She trained one of her pyrenees, Shaman, to be a therapy dog to visit residents in the nursing homes in Helena. </p><p>Her cancer diagnosis in March, already at an advanced stage, took everyone by surprise. As a nurse, she understood her prognosis and decided to live as fully as she could in her remaining months. </p><p>Monica will be remembered as a loyal, generous, and caring friend and an incredibly loving mother and grandmother. She was deeply cherished and respected, not only by her family but also by her neighbors and clients. She was passionate about caring for vulnerable people and for rescued animals. Many will miss her delightful humor and the courage she witnessed in trying times. The night after her death, her neighbors lit luminaries that lined the street of her cul de sac, showing their love and sorrow at the departure of their compassionate, wise, dependable, and sometimes hilarious friend and neighbor. </p><p>Monica is preceded in death by her father and mother, Martin and Anne Grabrian. She is survived by her two daughters, Angela Frandsen and Kristina Nylander, and their father, Dan Keefe; her grandchildren, Grant and Spencer Frandsen, and Kameron, Kylie, and Kinsey Nylander; her sister, Julianne Dent, and her brothers, Victor Grabrian and Fr. Dennis Grabrian. </p><p>Burial services will be held in Denver, Colorado at a later date. </p><p>The family requests that those who wish to remember Monica, please consider a donation (in lieu of flowers) to Jacobs Ridge Animal Sanctuary (www.jacobsridge.com). Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family. </p>June 26, 1949 - September 3, 202406/26/194909/03/2024
Share Obituary: