Monique Green

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, I stand before you, encumbered by waves of the deepest grief and sadness, yet uplifted by the resilient spirit of our beloved Monique. My mother, my friend, the heartbeat of our family, who, for 41 remarkable years graced this earth with her beautiful, luminous soul.

Monique, or as known by us, Mom, laughed loudly, loved deeply, and lived vibrantly. Her smile, radiant and warm, could outshine the most luminous star in the universe and spark joy amid the dulcimer of everyday life. Her eyes were the most beautiful I've ever seen, sparkling mirrors of her soul that drew you in with an irresistible warmth and kindness. They were a testament to her compassion, to the ocean of love she held for everyone blessed enough to know her.

Mom wasn't just an amazing friend, cousin, aunty, sister, and daughter-most of all she was a mother. A mother to my sister India and me, and nary a day passed that we did not feel the depth of her love reaching into the very cores of our being. The kitchen was her sanctuary, her haven, where the melody of cooking brought her comfort and serenity. With each hearty meal she cooked, she stirred in dollops of love and sprinkled elements of joy, creating more than just sustenance for our bodies, but nourishment for our souls.

We would watch, as transfixed spectators, her spontaneous dance steps that accompanied her culinary sessions. Effervescent and free-spirited, Monique was a dazzling sight in those moments- laughter in her lilting voice, love in her twinkling gaze, pure, unadulterated joy in every pivot, each sway a declaration of life's inherent beauty.

A memory that profoundly captures the essence of Mom popped up from the treasure trove of a lifetime spent with her. It was the time when she impersonated Kool Mo G at a show for us kids. She played the guitar, her voice upbeat as she sang B.I.N.G.O., making our peals of laughter harmonize with her spirited tunes. That video of her, surrounded by a horde of exhilarated children, remains a timeless testament to her life's philosophy of love, laughter, and pure happiness.

In Monique's generous heart, we found solace, and in her wisdom, we found guidance. Throughout our lives, she was our lighthouse, illuminating our paths even in the darkest, most tempestuous storms. That is how I believe she achieved her greatest triumph-becoming the resilient rock we all leaned on, the beacon of light guiding us on our journeys.
As we bid farewell, I am overwhelmed by the understanding, the profound reality - I will miss her. Miss her infectious laughter filling our home, her comforting presence anchoring us, her love enveloping us.

Monique, daughter of Richard and Theresa Samuel, sister to Little Richard, Stevie, Dion, and Justin, leaves behind a legacy of love and an unforgettable imprint on our hearts. As we mourn her loss, let us not overlook the gift her life was to each and every one of us. Her heart, though ceased to beat physically, continues to pulsate within ours.

I urge us all today, in remembering Monique, to remember her as the embodiment of love and compassion, a beacon of laughter and joy. Even though her life was unexpectedly short-lived, her heart has left us all enriched, blessed with immeasurable love. She was an angel here on earth, undoubtedly now an angel in heaven.

Thank you all for joining this celebration of Monique's life. She set out to touch our hearts in a multitude of ways, a mission she undoubtedly accomplished. And tonight, as the stars shine, may she gaze upon us, her radiant smile adding to their brilliance, peaceful at last in the haven of the heavens.

Family and friends are invited to the visitation on Thursday, April 18th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Funeral on Friday, April 19th, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Interment to follow at Arlington Cemetery.

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