Obituary: Hanna Monte

After an extended battle with cancer, 2008 Somers High School graduate and Lake Purdy's resident Hanna Monte passed away on Monday, March 28, according to the Somers Track and Field Blog. The Monte family has asked for privacy and plans to hold a celebration of her life later this month. For more information about the celebration or to leave or read tributes, go to Hanna Monte at CaringBridge.org.

Here is a letter from the Monte family in the journal section of that web site:

MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2011 4:48 PM, CDT

Dear friends and family,

This morning, our beloved Hanna passed away. She was asleep in her bed at home with her family around her. We must not grieve her passing for the body is just a shell and her spirit continues to live on. She was so strong for the past year, struggling through tremendous pain to stay with us for just a little while longer. She gave us such joy, endless love and happiness, and she will continue to be with us, forever in our hearts. She is free from her suffering now, and finally comfortable and peaceful.

We would like to thank you all for the wonderful support you have given us over the last year. We are blessed to have such a kind and caring community surrounding us. Hanna had the amazing ability to touch the lives of people around her. She has inspired us all to find happiness in our lives. We must honor her by living lives full of compassion and joy.

We would like to especially thank Dr. Mark Brauning, Dr. Michael Rosen and Dr. Jonathan Goldberg of Mount Kisco Medical Group as well as Linda Fraser of the visiting nurse service and CORAM healthcare for their continued care of Hanna. Your friendship and unwavering attention are cherished.

Please respect our need for some privacy at this time. We will be preparing a celebration for Hanna that will be held in a month or so. We will post more information as the time approaches. In lieu of sending flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the organization Friends of Karen, who have been invaluable over the last year. You may visit their website at http://www.friendsofkaren.org/make-a-donation

Love,

the Montes

Read our blog post from October, Somers rallies again for cancer-stricken college student.

LINKS:

http://somerstrackxc.blogspot.com/2011/03/hanna-monte-has-passed-away.html

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannamonte

http://somersspectator.blogspot.com/2010/10/somers-rallies-again-for-cancer.html