Melissa Monroe
Share
There will be no formal services for Melissa Monroe, 44, Lawrence. Melissa passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at her home.
Melissa was born on October 25, 1976 in Normal, IL, the daughter of Alan D. and Paula S. (Conroy) Monroe.
Melissa graduated from Simon’s Rock College of Bard with a degree in Theater. She attended Illinois State University and received Bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and English Education, and a Master’s degree in English. She taught English in South Korea for several years. She taught English at Lanai High School from 2006-2013 in Lanai, HI. Melissa and her three children moved to Lawrence in 2013. Friends and family remember Melissa’s love for her children, teaching, adventure, and advocacy.
Survivors include her parents, Alan and Paula Monroe, sister, Amalia (Ben) Monroe-Gulick, and children Ai’isha, Isaac and Ismail Loufa-Monroe.
Memorial contributions may be made in Melissa’s name to the Lanai Cat Sanctuary or Moms Demand Action and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
I am so sorry, Paula. You and your whole family are in my thoughts daily. Melissa will be missed.
Our hearts go out to Ai’sha, Issac, Ismail Paula, Alan, Molly and Ben as well as her extended family. Remember her charming smile and hold your memories close to your heart.
Love and hugs to you all, Mollie, Paula, Alan, AI’Isha, Isaac and Ismael. Melissa and I were close during a vivid, impactful part of my life. She was a supportive, honest, strong, passionate, caring being.
Hugs across the miles to you all. Your Broadway friends mourn yet celebrate Melissa with you
Jackie and Jamie
Sending love and prayers for healing. So sorry for your loss.
I met Melissa as a volunteer with Moms Demand Action a few years ago. Such a vibrant spirit, beautiful soul. Sending healing and love to all who knew and loved Melissa.
Paula and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I know how beloved your Melissa was. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of service or support. The Lister’s, Gretchen and sons
Paula and Alan, I’m so sorry for this terrible loss. You both and the boys are in my heart.
I have such fond memories of Mel introducing me to the joys of NYC back when I visited her in 1998. My heart goes out to Mollie, Alan and Paula right now. Sending all my love and support at this difficult time xx
Paula and Alan,
Jonathan and I are so saddened to hear of your loss. We are sending you strength and love and will keep you and your family in our thoughts during this terrible time.
Paula and Alan,
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss and want you to know that I am thinking of you both as well as Ai’isha, Isaac and Ismail. Please let me know if there is any way I can be of help to you at this time.
Paula and Alan we are so sad that Melissa has died. May her memory always be a blessing. Thinking of you and your family.
My heart breaks at your loss.
We were so taken aback when hearing about Melissa’s passing. She has been part of the Trinity In-Home Care family, as we have traveled her road with her for the last few years. Please know we are thinking about her family and know this is a difficult time.
Very sincerely, Trinity In-Home Care staff and DSPs
Isaac, Ismail, & Ai’isha,
Your Cordley family is so very sad to hear of your mom’s passing. My goodness how she loves you three, and that love isn’t limited to her lifetime. It will be with you always. I last saw her when we were visiting about you “boys” (I know you’re almost grown now!) going on to middle school. She was a little freaked out by that big next step. I assured her you were ready, and we shared a big hug. What a special lady she is and a special family you are and will always be.
Love you!
Mrs. Weiss
So sorry. May her good memories sustain you and the family at this time of grief.
Sending so much love to the whole family, especially Ai’isha, Isaac, and Ismail. Mel’s wit and warmth is irreplaceable. You are all in my heart right now.
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you love and prayers for peace.
Alan & Paula, Ai’isha, Isaac and Ismail – We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We are here for you should there be any way we can help. Sending love and peace to you and all of your family.
Paula, Alan, Ai’sha, Issac, Ismail, Molly and Ben,
We are so sorry for your loss. Holding you in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Pat and Dan
Sending love, Aunt Paula. Melissa was a light in darkness. I will miss her terribly. Hugs to you, Uncle Alan, Mollie, Ben, Ai’isha, Isaac and Ismail. Our extended family will have a missing part with her gone….
May Melissa find peace where she is now and may Paula, Alan, Molly, Ben, Ai’sha, Issac, and Ismail find comfort in that. Love, Aunt Mamie, Uncle Dave
Alan and Paula,
We are so sorry to learn of Melissa’s death. Please know that you are in our prayers that memories of good times past will bring you comfort in the days and months ahead. Tom and Libby
Love and hugs, to your whole family. I’ll always have a special memory of Melissa from the cousins reunion in Bloomington. I sent messages to the angels to see you thru this phase of transition. Love to all. MaryAnn
Paula and Alan and Mollie: What a beautiful photo of Melissa; and what a wonderful gift, for you to have had her 44 years, even though it was so short. I remember Ruthann would come home from babysitting your girls, amazed at how smart Melissa was. I loved talking to her. We both taught English and loved to read. So for you and Melissa, here’s a bit from a poem I wrote about my mom’s death: “It is the living face and form and spirit that we have loved and warmly hugged–it is this that we celebrate and mourn.” I am so sorry for your loss. I send you my love.
May you find peace and comfort during this time of mourning. Melissa will always hold an extra special place in my heart. I am very honored to have taught all 3 of Melissa’s children. When I was just a brand new teacher, Melissa was always so patient and helpful, both as an educator and a parent.
Ai’isha, Isaac and Ismail- Thank you for giving me the opportunity to know and teach each and every one of you. I smile knowing how much your mother cares and loves for each of you, just as she will continue to do.
Much love,
Mrs. Roberts
We know that Melissa is at peace in a better place. We pray that this gives you and your family some comfort and that time will heal. We will have Melissa and her children in our thoughts and prayers. Love to you all — Mary & Jerry
Melissa was brilliant and beautiful, she brought so much insight and joy to the world. I got to know her through our AUMI community performances, and danced with her at KU. She was an amazing dancer. Every time I watch footage of our rehearsals, I am reminded of how she lit up the room. Sending love and comfort to her family during this time of loss.
So sorry for your loss. Melissa overcame many struggles and for that you should be forever proud.
I met Melissa when she volunteered during the 2018 elections. Such an indomitable spirit! My heart goes out to you for your loss. Condolences. Susan Shanklin
Mel was an amazing person, an effervescent spirit, and a dear friend. Very sad at the news of her passing. She was an important part of a formative era of my life and I’ll never forget her. My condolences to Mollie, her parents, and the rest of the family.
Beautiful picture of Melissa and her shining smile. I always think of Melissa and Mollie as my little sisters on Broadway. Playing hide and seek, eating ice cream, dancing, laughing, oatmeal creme pies, and ordering pizza. The girls made me see E.T. like 6 times the summer it came out and would giggle at me because I would cry every time. Melissa was so smart, we really had fun together. The Broadway house was filled with love, cats, and dogs. McDonald and Arthur were my favorites. Donating to a cat sanctuary is a lovely tribute. I love you Melissa.
My love to you all. You are forever my family.
Dear Amalia,
I’m so sorry to read of your sister’s passing. My thoughts are with you and your family during what must be such a difficult time. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything I can do.
Jamene
I met Melissa in college, at a time when I was still forming my worldview and my values. She gave me insights and taught me things that made me a better human being, more empathetic, more respectful, more open to other people’s points of view. I am certain that I am a better, kinder person because of her.
Condolences Monroe family, may that empty spot in your hearts be filled with peace and happy memories.
May your happy memories help to bring you peace and comfort. We are keeping you in our thought.
Paula , Alan and All – we are so very sorry for your loss. You are such a beautiful family, and Melissa was blessed to have such strong love and support . Please know you are in our prayers always, Take good care – Tom and Molly
My Family, (Ohana)
Would like to express our condolence to Melissa Monroe Family.
She will be surely Missed. We had the honor to know Melissa and her children, while they lived here in Hawaii on the island of Lanai. Amazing Teacher.
Know your family will be in our prayers.Please Take care!!!
Big Huge Hug for Ai’iisha, Ismeal, Isascc. Aloha from Lanai Lisa, Hope, and Gabby Shin.
My Family, (Ohana)
Would like to express our condolence to Melissa Monroe Family.
She will be surely Missed. We had the honor to know Melissa and her children, while they lived here in Hawaii on the island of Lanai. Amazing Teacher.
Know your family will be in our prayers.Please Take care!!!
Big Huge Hug for Ai’iisha, Ismeal, Isascc. Aloha from Lanai Lisa, Hope, and Gabby Shin.
Sleep well Melissa, thank you for many memories. Until we meet again❤
Dear Ai’sha, Issac, Ismail Paula, Alan, Molly and Ben,
So sorry to hear of Melissa’s death. I know from Laura that Melissa and all of you have had a rough life since her accident. Alan and Paula, as parents it is probably especially hard to say good-bye to your child. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Becky & Ron
Paula and Alan , There are no words that I can think of that are adequate to ease your pain. We send our love to all of you and wish you peace and strength to get through these difficult days. Melissa will be missed.
Joe and Kate
Love and prayers from Abraham, Julie, Bridget, and Morgan Palmer here in NC. It was so long ago, but we remember fondly sharing a cabin with Melissa and family at the first Conroy reunion in TN.
Alan and Paula,
My prayers and thoughts go to you and your family.
I am so sorry to hear of Melissa’s passing. She and her son Ismail were the heart of many beautiful jam sessions and performances at the Lawrence Public Library. I learned so much from her about dance, about community, about generosity. What a privilege it was to make music and dance with her. Condolences and love to her family. Thank you for sharing her with us.
My condolences to Ms. Monroe’s family and children! She was an AWESOME teacher, and I enjoyed being in her English class. I was her student at Lāna’i High & Elementary School and she was also my home room teacher. Sending prayers from Hawai’i!
Rest in Paradise Ms. Monroe! You will be greatly missed. I was one of her students in her English & Homeroom class at Lanai High & Elementary School. We had many laughs in her class and my heart aches to hear the very sad news. My thoughts and prayers go to her whole family… God bless you all
Melissa was a luminous soul who shared her light with everyone she met. Her presence was like a sunbeam. Her warmth, empathy, intelligence and her many other qualities of mind, personality, and character, were loved and respected by everyone. Her talent for dancing was unique. I knew her in Pohang, South Korea, and once saw her enter a dance floor, begin dancing, and within minutes be surrounded by a crowd of people who watched her in awe. They were laughing and taking photos, but Melissa’s eyes were closed, and she did not realize it was all for her until she finished dancing and opened her eyes again. She was astonished to find at least 100 people standing in a circle around her, applauding!
Melissa’s passing is a shock, and my prayers and condolences go out to her parents, siblings, and all her family. Rest in Paradise, Melissa.