Mary Ellen Monfared (Wakeen), loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, age 68, of Sunnyvale, California went to be with Jesus on October 3, 2020.

She was born in Wausau, Wisconsin on May 20, 1952. She was the third out of seven siblings. She received her Bachelor's of Art from University of Wisconsin, Stevenspoint in Sociology, Psychology, and Education. She then went on to getting her Master's of Counseling at Iowa State University while working as a hall advisor. She worked her way through school and her work ethic carried with her the rest of her life. She found herself in her late 20s as a Human Resources associate where she had felt a light of passion from within. She ultimately became the Vice President of Human Resources at Futurewei in Santa Clara, where she was loved and respected as a manager as well as a friend to many of those who worked for her.

Mary was a woman of love and faith. She enjoyed listening to sermons every Sunday and listening to daily devotionals from South Valley Community Church in Gilroy, California. She felt inspired and fascinated by the Word of God and particularly loved a sermon that described what heaven is like. She was eager to be there one day with her dear friends and family that passed before her. Mary loved walking in the park and neighborhood where she lived, having deep and meaningful conversations, mentoring her staff at work, teasing others with her wit and humor, listening and caring for others, growing her own fruit and vegetables, dancing, cooking and baking, playing with, caring for and surprising her grandchildren with gifts and affection. She enjoyed, above all, spending time with her children, grandchildren, family, loved ones and friends. She was strong, compassionate, selfless, and humble. She will be missed every day.

Mary's father, Emil Wakeen, and mother, Peggy (Viola) Wakeen, passed before her. She is survived by her son Alex, and daughters Christina and Cassandra as well as her grandchildren Colton, Brooklyn, and Riley. She was survived by her siblings: Faye, Paul, John, Teri, and Tom.

A Celebration of Life will be held sometime in the new year of 2021. We will keep everyone who will like to be notified informed of the ceremony. We appreciate and thank everyone who has offered their support and condolences.