Sylvia Gagnon Monnette

Sylvia M. (Nielsen) (GAGNON) Monnette, 78, Green Bay, went into the arms of her Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, following a long term illness at a local nursing home. She was born July 6, 1933, in Fond du Lac, to Christian and Esther (Keyes) Nielsen. Sylvia was born and raised in Fond du Lac and at a time in her youth her father was a cook at logging camps in Northern Wisconsin. She had many fond memories of living at the camps with her family especially one in Phelps, Wis. When she was 18 she came to Green Bay to work as a nanny and did in-home-care for the elderly at times. She met and married Alphonse Gagnon. They were married in 1954. He preceded her in death in 1997. Together they raised nine children and she worked diligently as a full time mother, wife and homemaker. Despite her mother and grandparents dying when Sylvia was a young girl she passed on a positive and stay strong attitude to all her kids and all who knew her. Sylvia will be remembered also as loving, strong, vibrant, hardworking, and devoted woman to her family and her faith in Jesus Christ. Her love was UNCONDITIONAL. Sylvia married Robert Monnette in Milwaukee in October of 1998. Later in life, she came back to Green Bay to be in the care of her children.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Clare Beno, Green Bay; Mary Gagnon, Seymour; Allan Gagnon, Green Bay; Gerard Gagnon, Green Bay; Robert and Bonnie Gagnon, De Pere; Theresa and Steve Derpinghaus, Seymour; Margaret Gagnon-Phillips and Steve Phillips, Green Bay; Kennedy Gagnon, Green Bay; Tony and Toni Gagnon, Seymour; her grandchildren, Christel (Erich), Greg (Julie), Mariah (Steve), Allan Jr. (Beatrice), Luke, Michael, Laura, Melissa, Jesse, John, Jacob, Whitney, Jamie (Noah), Rachel (Scott), Ryan, Alex, Sam, Jack; her great-grandchildren, Grace, Jennings, Christian, Joey, Nathan, Juilian, Danielle, Michael, Levi; a sister and brother-in-law, Sondra and Melvin Jones, Green Lake; her husband, Robert Monnette, Milwaukee; many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, many friends at the nursing home, and her special friends, Betty, Patty and Pearl, and her best friend, Betty Schroeder.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her first husband, Alphonse; her parents; two brothers, David and Erich; and her many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Jerry Bruette officiating. Entombment will be in Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

A memorial fund has been established in Sylvia's name.

Our greatest thanks, for our mother's care, second to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, goes to Dr. Rider for excellent care and tenderness toward our mother, and the staff of Cardiology Associates, Dr. A. Luthar, Dr. J. Warren, Dr. Gouthro, and R.N. Birdie, Dr. Jacquez-Dean, the nursing home staff, especially the Zunker family, D.O.N. Betty Jo, R.N. Nicole B., R.N. Shannon, and C.N.A.'s Tammy, Laura, Rosa and Cheryl for their "extra" love and care.

And her beautiful daughter, Margaret who went above and beyond her calling to care for our mother and fulfilled her needs mentally, emotionally, spiritually and medically - she was a blessing to my Mom and all of her siblings though she asks for no praise or thank you's. She is thanked by all of us in more than words can say and for her undying love and unending effort in honoring and caring for our Mom and Margaret's family for enduring the time Margaret had to devote to helping our Mom. Margaret you are so beautiful and blessed and we all thank Jesus for you.

And a special thank you to granddaughter, Jamie Phillips for opening her heart and the door for her grandmother to reside where Jamie is employed.

Last, we want to also thank Wendy (Mgr. at Badger Apts. of Green Bay) where Mom formerly resided at. She took extra time to check on our Mom's well-being when she lived alone. It meant a lot to Mom and her kids.