Monica Y. Dahl

Celebrating the life of our dearly beloved, Monica Y. Dahl (January 24, 1932 – January 11, 2025) on Friday, January 24, 2025 at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, 19709. A viewing will be held from 3 pm until 4 pm, where a funeral service will follow at 4 pm. Any family members or friends who are unable to attend the Celebration of Life for Monica can live stream the service by clicking here. A Remembrance for Monica Yvonne Dahl, written by Allan Ridgeway Monica Yvonne Dahl 01/24/1932 – 01/11/2025 Good afternoon, friends. Let me on behalf of the family express sincere appreciation to you all for coming to share in this Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the life of a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend to many. Monica Yvonne Dahl was born on January 24, 1932 in Franklin Town, Kingston. She was the last of 9 children born to James and Iva Dahl. Her parents along with her siblings all predeceased her. She attended the Port Royal Elementary School where she completed the prescribed course of study. The union between her life-long partner Ildebert and herself produced 12 children; lldebert (Junior), Rona, Patrick, Ishmael, Rose, Eric (Eric predeceased her 4 years ago), Joanne, Alton, Sherraine, Wayne, Mechelle and Gavin. After leaving school she gained employment with Gem’s Fabric Store which would be her first and last job as she decided from early to be a stay-at-home mother, dedicating her entire life to the care, nurture and raising of all her children. We can all attest to the gallant, exceptional and extraordinary way she achieved this selfless and committed passion. This is evidenced in the lives of the 12 children. Individually and collectively, they are a testament to the strong values and decency she conveyed in parenting. I tasked myself to seek from her children the qualities of their mother that stood out for them and which impacted their own lives in a positive way. They were all in one accord in stating they were blessed with an awesome, beautiful, selfless, devoted and God-fearing mother. Alton informed me that during a conversation with her he asked her what was her favourite scripture. She replied Psalm 91 and recited it to him word for word. Patrick remembers her love for the beautiful sceneries in the Baltimore Harbor where he would take her and Aunt Merceline while they were visiting. They remember a mother who would always encourage them to say their prayers and teach them bedtime songs while lying with them. They all agreed that she had a “sweet tooth” and always fancied a cheesecake. Even after her children left the home to pursue their own ambitions she would always keep in touch and was always asking them as Rona reminded me “when are you coming to look for me”. Monca loved flowers and nothing would cheer and give her more delight than receiving a gift of beautiful flowers. She was a word search game addict and when you saw her on video chat, she would always be seen playing her game which became her lasting companion. If word search was included in the Olympics, it would not surprise me that she would be the champion. All who knew her can attest to her qualities as a loving, kind-hearted, shy, unassuming and gracious lady. After a cancer diagnosis in 2008 Monca migrated to Delaware, U.S.A. where she resided with her youngest daughter, Mechelle. She received the prescribed surgical and radiation treatment which was a success and remained in remission for the duration of her life. Although there were several related setbacks and surgical procedures that followed, she relied solely on her faith and trust in God. Monca was a praying mother who would read her Bible daily sometimes into pre-dawn and prayed continuously for her 12 children and her grandchildren. She enjoyed singing every hymn from her personal hymnal and listening to the Gathers vocal band particularly “The Holy Hills” by John and Vesta Goodnan. Monca looked forward to visits, prayers and communion from her dearly beloved pastor, Lee Kumani. Monca was a true believer in life after death and that she was certain that she would see her Saviour face to face. In her younger days, she was nicknamed “The Queen of Sheba” hence her beauty. When asked if she could swim, her proud response was “like a sea dog “and always made it clear that she was born in Franklin Town, Kingston. Back in the Bronx of 1998, Monca enjoyed the company of her favorite sibling, Aunt Merciyn who visited for a few weeks, totally enjoying each other’s company. In years to come, Monca enjoyed several weeks of bliss with her only surviving beloved sister, Iva. When she visited Delaware back in 2018; they both endured Physical Therapy and doctors’ visits together, sat out on the patio and went wild reminiscent of lifelong memories with hopes of making future ones. While back home in Porty, she enjoyed several day trips to the country with her sister, Iva and friends. Her badge of honor were her 12 children. Her unofficial adopted children are namely Patsy Chung and Edgerton Brown. Monca had a true passion for underprivileged children and took great pride in her contributions especially at Christmas time to the organizations closest to heart. Monca eventually adjusted to making life in Delaware work for her although she passionately missed 44 Florizel Ave with every ounce of her being. A huge part of mother’s legacy is a wealth of common sense, life wisdom/lessons which she encouraged and is reflected in her own life’s journey. A fond memory for Dauntly of Monka (a first cousin) is one of sacrifice and kindness, in that, she, her siblings and friends would oftentimes visit her home and regardless of having to feed her own twelve children, there was always a place at the dinner table for each of them. This kindness Dauntly states, remains a long lasting impression of Monka she’ll never forget. June Clay (Monca’s cousin) reminds us of the remarkable bond she had with her sisters, Connie, Merceline, Roslyn, Iva, neighbour’s and family members and her devotion to her father, Wilford Clay, Monca’s cousin when he was ill, being present to support his wife and him. She remembers her physical beauty with her presence showing such dignity, calmness and love. Speaking as one of her sons-in-law of which she loved all of us, the last week has been a time when I am reflecting on the loss of my mother-in-law, and therefore it seems only fit and right that I share these few moments in tribute to this loving, caring and very special lady. My mother-in-law was in her 93rd year and although she had some challenges with her health in the last year it is still unexpected that she has now passed. I have known her all my life and there are several memories of her warm welcome, kindness, passion, love and family values which had been captured in my memory and my heart. As her son-in-law, Monca welcomed me as I am sure she did with her other sons-in-law and I grew increasingly fond of her and she will always occupy a special place in my heart. While we are getting used to saying goodbye, we know how lucky and honored we are to have known her and have her in our lives. We will cherish the great memories, appreciate the support, love, kindness she gave us. We will always miss and love her. A poem on behalf of her children. “There’s so much to say, many memories to share About a wonderful mother who did nothing but care. Not just for us but all those she knew. Her genuine kindness would always shine through. Monca was not always happy; it’s true to say. Hard work and worries often got in the way. The suffering in the world she always kept in sight, Wishing she could do something to put everything right. Sacrificed things for herself so she could give to others. This is what made the best of all mothers. She was proud of her family, always gave us the best. She has earned and deserves her place of rest. To know she’ll join her loved ones, reunite with her dad, Will give us the strength not to be sad. We must cherish the thought that even in our own grief The suffering has gone; in its place she’s found peace. She’s no longer trapped in a world with no past. The memories she gave us will always last. We’ll remember a special lady who had so much to give, And she will stay in our hearts as long as we live.” May her strong but gentle soul rest in eternal peace and may eternal light perpetually shine upon her. Rest in peace Monca. Funeral Announcement A funeral service for the late Monica Yvonne Dahl will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Port Royal, at 3 pm. Interment will follow in Port Royal Cemetery.

Monica Y. Dahl

January 24, 1932 - January 11, 2025