Tribute: Frank Monigan

A Letter to Frank

Francis J. Monigan was my husband and my best friend. He was also John & Heather’s Dad and a loving brother and son. There isn’t a day that goes by that I do not think of him and the life that we shared for 33 years. It’s been over 4 years since he lost his battle with his third brain tumor – yet I still reach for the phone to call him at work. I still have so much that I want to tell him and ask him and share with him. It suddenly came to me that I could still write him a letter.Dear Frank:

I miss you big guy! I never thought that I ever would stop crying that night at NYU. I know that you heard me when I told you to let go if you couldn’t hold on anymore. I know that you did not want to leave and that you waited for us to leave the hospital that night. Your nurse told me that you would not have gone if we were all there. As usual, you “did it your way”!

John and Michele have two little girls now. Regan Colleen is 2½ and Baby Neve Cathleen is 4 months. (How about those Irish names!) I was in Ohio for both girls’ arrivals. Regan is a lot like her Aunt Heather – talk about “pay back.” Baby Neve looks so much like you when you were a baby. I know that your buttons are busting over being a grandfather. John and Michele have your pictures all over and Regan knows “Grandpa Frank.” John is getting his Master’s in Engineering Management in May. Heather and Michael were married a year in May and your “Princess” is very happy. She just accepted a new job at Intel. She will be Intel’s youngest Design Engineer. They are moving to Arizona for 3 years and they are so excited. Heather is getting her Master’s in Business Administration in the fall. What a wonderful example you set for our children. They are truly two remarkable young people. We did a good job together did we not?

I am working at United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County now. John, Michele Heather and Michael opted for no Christmas gifts this year so that I could donate a playground swing to UCP in your memory. It is due for installation within a few weeks and it will have your name on it. I also have been working with The Guardian Brain Foundation. This foundation is based in Bellmore. A dynamic young woman who wanted to do “something” to keep the memory of her brother Dennis alive started it. In a short time, we have done some wonderful things. We will be having a “Butterfly Ball” in November and as a special memorial to you I am asking all of your co-workers and friends from Wall Street to come and be sponsors. Tom and I are working on this now. As a matter of fact, we will be meeting on your B-Day, May 4th! (We know that you’ll be there too!)

On the day of your funeral Fr. Gallagher spoke to me and reminded me that, like in the picture “Ghost,” you would take all our love with you. So I will close now by saying “See ya.”

Love,
Diane

The Guardian Brain Foundation encourages you to submit your words of encouragement to inspire others and provide emotional support.