COLUMBUS
Elizabeth Hower Monette, 81, a resident of Columbus, passed away at 8:35 a.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at home surrounded by her family.
Elizabeth was born March 28, 1943, in South Bend, Indiana, the daughter of Francis A. and Marion Phillips Turfler.
Survivors include her husband of over 56 years, William; son, Allen (Sarah) Monette of Madison, Wisconsin; daughter, Ruth (Melissa) Monette of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; one granddaughter; sisters, Anna Bowers, Alice Anderson, both of Mishawaka, Katherine (Michael) Marschall of Granger; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Jane Turfler, and brother Robert Turfler.
Elizabeth lived her life from a deep, pragmatic Christian faith, a passion for reading and books, with a slightly dark sense of humor and a willingness to try to love others as Christ loved them.
Connected through their families’ shared church membership, she married Bill Monette in July of 1967. Bill’s work took them to Tucson, AZ; Indianapolis, IN; Chicago, IL; Dayton, OH; and eventually to Columbus, IN where they have lived for nearly 35 years.
Elizabeth worked as either a children’s librarian or a reference librarian in most of those communities. She nurtured relationships with co-workers and patrons, especially those “library regulars” who found in her a willing listener and sometimes friend. With the Bartholomew Public Library, she worked the reference desk for about 20 years. Long before we could “google” the answer to random wonderings, Elizabeth would take an idle query from a conversation and come back, sometimes days later, with the answer.
Her love of reading and books inspired her retirement “work” as a volunteer Book Buddy at Schmidt School. She was a faithful volunteer at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, serving in pastoral care ministries, prayer chains, and Christian formation. She was a member of the Daughters of the King, a lay religious order of the Episcopal Church, and active on the local, diocese and national levels. She was active with the Seymour chapter of PFLAG (before there was a Columbus chapter) and with ICC supporting the LGBT community.
Elizabeth knew the names of every tree, flower, plant, and animal in her yard. She was an avid crafter – sewing many of her own clothes and swearing like a sailor while ripping out most knitting projects at least once. Sharing her crafting skills with her granddaughter was a particular pleasure. She remained a voracious reader and always sent books as gifts, but only after she’d read them first. She treasured time with her adult children of whom she was deeply proud.
In keeping with the family’s request, cremation will take place and a celebration of life honoring Elizabeth will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 2:00 PM, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2651 California Street, with Priest-in-Charge Alred Bernard Dean officiating.
Inurnment will take place at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Columbarium.
Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or Columbus Regional Health Cancer Center.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Monette family at barkesweaverglick.com.
Caring and professional service to Elizabeth’s family is being provided by Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.
