Monica Groleau peacefully went to meet Jesus Sunday evening, February 7, 2010. She was surrounded by friends and loved ones at her home in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Monica was born September 8, 1951 in Auburn, New York, the daughter of Walter and Carol Dec. She received her education at Union Springs High School and Cayuga Community College. During high school, she was a “Candy Striper” at Mercy Hospital in Auburn.
Shortly after moving to Syracuse, she became a secretary to Onondaga County Executive, John Mulroy. During her sixteen years there, she became a member of Calvary Church in Clay, where Miss Dec met and married her friend, lover, and faithful companion, Wesley Groleau, son of Richard and RosaLee of Sallisaw, Oklahoma.
Monica left local politics in 1989 to raise two sons, Christopher and Michael. In 1995, the family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she became active in Heartland Church, as well as playing bridge regularly with a ladies’ group called Encore. In 2004, she became a retail cashier with Meijer Stores. Several of the customers became fond of her pleasant personality and service excellence, always checking out with her and recommending her to others. She was as disappointed as they were when her illness forced her to leave the job she loved in late 2008.
Monica is survived by her husband, Wesley Groleau of Fort Wayne; sons, Christopher Michael Groleau of Fort Wayne; father, Walter Dec of Auburn, New York; sister, Mary Ann Shovlowsky of Schenevus, New York; many aunts, uncles, and cousins in central New York, and in-laws in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Nevada. Monica was preceded in death by her mother, Carol (Fronczek) Dec.
Services were at Heartland Church, and burial in Parker Cemetery, Fort Wayne.
Memorials may be made to the Parkview Hospice (1900 Carew Street, Suite 6, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46805) or to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.
Written by Mary Ann Shovlowsky and W. Wesley Groleau.
I will so miss seeing Monica at Meijer. We would often chat about what our children were doing because Monica and I had known each other since the kids were students together at Ft. Wayne Christian in their early years of education. My prayers are with you all.
Our heartfelt sympathy, prayers and love are extended to the family. Monica was a beautiful, kind and loving friend. We will miss her deeply.
Monica … a very good friend and a most kind and caring person with a gentle soul. I will miss her greatly — as will many others. Bill joins me in extending our sympathy and prayers to her family at this difficult time. May God bless them with comfort and great peace.
It’s hard to face the loss of someone that I could talk to for hours about Jesus. Monica and I could spend that kind of time just praising God together! We could get so blessed in the Holy Spirit we’d sing! And she got me, you know. She understood me. She could see inside my soul and I could see in hers. I miss her but how can I not be glad she’s with Jesus now in heaven! In sorrow, yet rejoicing! Monica, you are truly home! You’ll see faces that are waiting for you. You’ll hear your name spoken by those who love you. And, maybe, just maybe, in the back, behind the crowds – the ONE who would reather die than live without you will remove his pierced hands from his heavenly robe and applaud!! Praise God!
It’s hard to know what to say, Wes. I’m so sorry that Monica’s illness couldn’t be cured and that she passed away at a rather young age. I know you have many memories of her to treasure and that you’ll continue to live joyfully in spite of her not being with you.
Praying for Wesley.