Obituary for
MonaJean Marie Morgan (Fookes)
MonaJean Morgan, 82, of Porter went to be with her Lord Wednesday, December 19, 2018. She was born Friday, January 3, 1936, in Alma, Michigan to Victor and Regina Fookes. MonaJean is preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Roseline Daniel, Joseph Fookes. She is survived by her husband, David Morgan; 6 children, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends. A visitation will be Sunday, December 23, 2018 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Rosewood Funeral Home in Porter, Texas.
MonaJean was born on a dairy farm in Gratiot County, Michigan and spent her childhood helping raise Holstein cows and working the land alongside her family. Although she loved the cows, she absolutely preferred spending her youth in the kitchen rather than in the fields and barn. After graduating from Alma High School in 1954 MonaJean pursued a career in nursing.
On May 21st, 1961 MonaJean married the love of her life, David L. Morgan. The couple met when she was a waitress at a small-town café and he a young factory worker. Together they would become the Matriarch and Patriarch of the Morgan family. Their union would last nearly 60 years. After marriage MonaJean focused on raising her children, whom quickly filled up the house. Even after her kids reached adulthood, she always was the definitive example of unconditional love.
As MonaJean’s family grew so did her scope and vision of life. She and her husband left behind their home towns and built a future in an ever-widening world. MonaJean was never afraid to move the family to wherever the possibility of brighter prospects shinned. She became an international traveler and cherished the knick-knacks she would discover in a faraway-lands. She went back to her roots and authored two books, one on Horticulture and the other, a comprehensive family cook book, that served as a fantastic culinary tool as well as offering a glimpse into the roll food has played into her life.
MonaJean dedicated herself to her family, church and community. Many are surprised to learn that MonaJean was a Captain in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. She took pride in her service to the Coast Guard and enjoyed completing her training in ocean rescue. MonaJean was very active in her church community where she, along with her husband Dave, played a key role in the organization and operation of the Polk County, Texas Food Bank. In addition, MonaJean was a key leader in the Texas Catholic Daughters. During her tenure with the Catholic Daughter’s MonaJean was elected Regent of the organization. During this time, she managed and expanded the Scholarship program which enabled many underprivileged young men and women to attend college.