Remembering 16

Franny, Mona's Best Friend, (from Mount Holyoke), US
October 18, 2016
Dear Mona,
Words cannot begin to describe how much I miss you. How much I want to text you every time I see something that reminds me of you. Every day I think of all the amazing memories we shared for the past six years. My mind cannot fully comprehend that you are gone. Your passing is so abrupt, so sudden, so shocking. I check my phone and read your messages over and over thinking you might respond. Your last words to me: “Yeah hopefully going home once I meet with the Dr. I love you too! MOHO strong <3”. Mount Holyoke Strong! To me you are strong, kind, compassionate, caring, loving, funny, friendly, smart, I can keep going on and on. You have touched so many people including me.

You were there for me when my parent’s separated. When I felt alone, you offered your place in Boston and I spent one of my best summers with my best friend. You taught me how to swim, I taught you how to dance, you taught me about Judaism, I taught you about Catholicism. We learned so much about each other like your favorite ice cream was What a Cluster from Ben & Jerry’s. Oh how much you loved ice cream! So many mornings I would wake up and you would say disappointingly, “Franny I ate all of the ice cream overnight but it was so good!” We had such an amazing summer. Remember our trip to Provincetown? The bike ride along the shore? Seeing one of our favorite drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race! I know that was our little secret we thought drag queens were so cool and funny. Oh and remember the drag show we went to in NYC! That was so much fun just like the many sleepovers at your place. You showed me the city like a true local. You told me where to get the best challah, and your favorite place to get pizza, and showed me the best museums. We shared our love for shopping by spending thousands of hours at L’Occitane and Sephora. I remember how much you loved the lavender products and your favorite perfume was the verbena perfume.
Mona, you introduced me to Judaism and changed my spirituality in ways not even the Catholic priest who I grew up with for years could ever do. My first Shabbat dinner was at your house. You taught me what a mezuzah was, why men wear kippahs, why it was important to fast on Yom Kippur and so much more. This past Yom Kippur during my first service I thought of you. My conversion will be in your honor. For your beautiful soul. I cherish every moment we had together and I feel so lucky and blessed to have known you.
Love,
Franny

Meron Langsner, Acting class teacher, US
Mona was a student of mine in an acting class about 7 years ago. She was the first (and only) person to ever successfully complete a certain language exercise meant to be nearly impossible on the first try. And furthermore, to do so flawlessly. Every time since that I have taught that particular exercise, I brought up "a linguistics major who was the only person ever to do this in one try." No one has ever done it since.
She was insightful, kind, and always a positive presence. I wish her family peace and strength, and I hope that the words of those that she touched can provide some comfort. May her name be a blessing.

The exercise is called "Unpunctuated Text." When it was first taught to be, I was told it originated with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Essentially, the students are handed monologues that have had all punctuation and capitalization removed that they keep face down, and as we go around the circle, they turn it over and start reading. The moment that what they are saying does not make sense because they are not putting meaning into the words, their turn ends and they put their page face down and the next person starts from the beginning. (This is also used as a rehearsal technique for actors to help themselves get new insights into their work) - Most people do not get very far, some get only a few words in, others a handful of sentences.

Mona was the first and only to ever just turn the sheet over and read the monologue in its entirety with complete comprehension the whole way through. She said it was because of her understanding of linguistics.

After the first session of class she pulled me aside and confided in me about her condition of not being able to understand facial expressions and asked if she could still take acting (obviously it was not an issue as far as I was concerned). I think the only other person she told was her scene partner Geneviève (I found out about Mona because Geneviève posted on the page). I can tell you that with few exceptions I would never have known.

Geneviève Marie Hammond, Mona's friend, US
I can't believe this. We met at Maclean's many years ago. It was a time in my life where the support and guidance of our group of girls was pivotal in my life. You were very kind and wise. May you rest in peace.

Remembering 16

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