Barbara Ann Monks

Obituary Barbara Ann (Burke) Monks passed away February 2, 2020. She was born at the family home in Richmond Highlands, WA on May 21, 1929. She was the youngest of four children born to Joseph and Helen Burke. She attended Ronald Elementary then Lincoln High School in Seattle where she served as Girls Club president and graduated in 1947 as Valedictorian of her class of 500. Barbara attended Marylhurst College for Women in Oregon where she was President of the student body and a member of the National Honor Society. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a B.A. in French, a minor in English Literature and a Secondary Education Certificate. She received the Joan of Arc award, the highest recognition at Marylhurst. As a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship, she studied abroad in 1951 achieving her Master’s in Education from the Sorbonne and the University of Besancon, France. While at college she met her husband, Robert (Bob) Monks. She and Bob wed on June 19, 1954 at Christ the King Church in Seattle and were married for 64 years. They had seven children and lived for 38 years in the same house where Barbara was raised. She taught English and French at Lake Washington Jr. High. She was a Bluebird and Campfire Girls troop leader, a volunteer at her children’s schools, participated in PTA and was awarded the Golden Acorn Award for her community service. She and Bob taught CCD classes at St. Luke Parish. Barbara was instrumental in naming the City of Shoreline and in preserving the Ronald schoolhouse, converting it to the Shoreline Historical Museum. She served on the first King Co. Landmarks Commission. She was a part owner of Basic Books in Edmonds and a sales representative for Ginn and Company and Scholastic Books. In 1993 they built a house on Liberty Bay in Poulsbo, WA. They were dedicated to the development and funding for a new Poulsbo Library especially a children’s corner and artwork. She participated in Friends of the Library and Music and Arts clubs and the St. Catherine Society. They attended and enjoyed St. Olaf Catholic Parish. Barbara loved to travel and visited many countries with Bob. She was especially fond of France and was a collector of French Quimper pottery. She loved large family celebrations and dinners. She was passionate about, cooking, reading recipes and biographies, antiquing, crossword puzzles, sports and politics. Barbara is survived by her children Joe Monks (Heather Lavin), Eileen (Joe) Reza, Anne Monks, Casey (Mike) Steinke, Patty (Charlie) Tomsett and Bob Monks (Jacquie) and 12 grandchildren. Barbara was preceded in death by her son Tom and husband Bob (2018). We will forever remember Barbara’s energy, genuine welcoming and caring personality, love of learning and her strong commitment to family. Barbara Ann Monks (our Mother and Grandmother) passed away on February 2, 2020. We have missed her tremendously these past years. Our extended family is now able to gather and celebrate her life with a day of memorial and celebration. She enjoyed many friendships and experiences with people that we are not able to contact directly. You are invited to attend Barbara’s Memorial events should you wish. If you have memories about our Mother you’d like to share, please send via email to [email protected], or through Barbara Ann Monks Tribute page via Beck’s Funeral home website https://www.beckstributecenter.com/obituaries/obituary-listings, or send to 7021 7th Ave NW Seattle, WA 98117. Good health and many blessings to you all. Funeral memorial: St Luke Catholic Church Address: 322 N 175th St, Shoreline, WA When: 11:00 AM on Friday April 29th Travel to Holyrood Cemetery for interment: Address: 205 N.E. 205th Street, Shoreline, WA When: approximately 12:15 PM, Friday April 29th Restaurant gathering and celebration: Where: Diamond Knot Brewpub @ MLT 5602 232nd St SW, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 When: approximately 1:00 PM, Friday April 29th