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| Jim Monahan at the Area 33 Contest on March 14, 2013 |
But it was
after that when I really got to know Jim. He offered to set up training
sessions for those who might serve the district, as he knew that others would
one day be needed to fill the gap. I was excited about the opportunity to learn
from the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians “2012 Parliamentarian of
the Year.” This fall Jim taught a class for several of us who were interested
in learning about this esoteric topic. We met at his home in Grand Prairie for
ten Thursday nights, and Jim made sure that we learned all he could squeeze
into these two and three hour sessions. Jim and Grace’s hospitality was so gracious,
and they made us welcome around their kitchen table as we delved into the
material. Our class was in awe of the depth of his knowledge, his concern for
all of us, and his willingness to continue our classes in spite of his
increasing health issues. Jim was weakening before our eyes as his body began
to succumb to congestive heart failure. We were devastated when Jim told us he
would be facing imminent death if he were unable to have a procedure to install
a heart pump.
Despite
Jim’s advancing illness, he and Grace still hosted their annual Christmas
meeting of the DFW Parliamentarians, a club Jim established and mentored. Jim
was very proud of his beautiful display of his Christmas village, which he set
up every year. Our class was privileged to attend the party, and continuing Jim
and Grace’s tradition, each attendee took home a Christmas ornament as a
memento of the occasion.
Our class’s
last meeting was on the Thursday before Christmas. Jim felt that we were ready
for the test at last. We ended the meeting with pictures of Jim and our class
in front of the Christmas tree. On the Saturday after Christmas, Jim entered
the hospital for his final illness. When I spoke to him for the last time, he
was concerned about our test. Of course, I told him not to worry about us, just
to worry about taking care of himself and Grace. Sadly, Jim was unable to have
the procedure that would have prolonged his life. Grace fell and broke her hip
while Jim was in the hospital, so she was unable to be with him continually
during his final illness. Their son-in-law set up a Skype session for them, and
Grace was also able to see him at the hospital once before his death. They were
such a devoted, loving couple, so supportive of each other. Being in their
home, learning from Jim, and getting to know these two wonderful people was
such a pleasure.
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| Parliamentarian Class |
Our class
will take our National Association of Parliamentarians test on January 14. We
hope to make Jim proud of us as we earn our certification as parliamentarians.
Jim, thank you for your generosity of spirit, sharing your gift of knowledge
and your home with our class. As we use and share the great gift of knowledge
we received from you, we will remember the lessons of courage, concern, and
dedication you quietly modeled for us.
Bonne Stroman, DTM
Immediate Past District Governor,
2013-2014
