Monica was born prematurely on July 25,1951 weighing just 2lbs 2ozs.
It was unknown at the time that applying too much oxygen to these tiny infants would result in blindness. Many babies, including Monica, suffered this sad consequence.
Despite her blindness, Monica was able to meet incredible goals inspiring all. She was the first blind student at her High School graduating Valedictorian with honors.
She went on to graduate suma cum laude from SF State with a degree in Geology.
Monica then went to work for USGS in Menlo Park and later onto Woodward & Clyde Consultants.
In 1979 she married her love, Bill Art Gerrey, and enjoyed over four decades of happiness until Bill’s passing in 2023.
Bill, also blind, was a successful engineer at Smith Kettlewell where he worked to create devices to assist the disabled. Often seen with their white canes around town this couple was labeled as San Francisco’s “dynamic duo”.
A Beatlemaniac since the tender age of 12, Monica met The Fab Four not once, but twice. Her love affair with the Beatles and their music lasted all her life culminating recently with her attending a Paul McCartney concert in Palm Desert. That concert marked her 61 years of musical devotion to the Lads from Liverpool .
Monica’s mother, Martha, guided her with love and indomitable strength. Monica’s courage and determination took her to heights never imagined by her family.
She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. And, she will be remembered “every” time a Beatles song is heard.
It was unknown at the time that applying too much oxygen to these tiny infants would result in blindness. Many babies, including Monica, suffered this sad consequence.
Despite her blindness, Monica was able to meet incredible goals inspiring all. She was the first blind student at her High School graduating Valedictorian with honors.
She went on to graduate suma cum laude from SF State with a degree in Geology.
Monica then went to work for USGS in Menlo Park and later onto Woodward & Clyde Consultants.
In 1979 she married her love, Bill Art Gerrey, and enjoyed over four decades of happiness until Bill’s passing in 2023.
Bill, also blind, was a successful engineer at Smith Kettlewell where he worked to create devices to assist the disabled. Often seen with their white canes around town this couple was labeled as San Francisco’s “dynamic duo”.
A Beatlemaniac since the tender age of 12, Monica met The Fab Four not once, but twice. Her love affair with the Beatles and their music lasted all her life culminating recently with her attending a Paul McCartney concert in Palm Desert. That concert marked her 61 years of musical devotion to the Lads from Liverpool .
Monica’s mother, Martha, guided her with love and indomitable strength. Monica’s courage and determination took her to heights never imagined by her family.
She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. And, she will be remembered “every” time a Beatles song is heard.
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