MONICA BURCHAT

Monica Burchat of Wilno had a deep love for her community. A woman of great faith, Monica was active in her parish of St. Mary’s and always enjoyed helping with the annual chicken supper fundraiser there.

She enjoyed baking and quilting, and could be found at her parish’s Christmas craft sale, selling her knit ware and crafts. As her children put it, her doors were always open; she always had treats on hand to welcome friends and family to her home.

“She was an easy-going private person, who always put everyone else’s needs before her own,” her son Don Burchat said. “She was an optimistic person.”

Monica recognized the need for quality healthcare in her community, especially during after her husband Felix was admitted to St. Francis Memorial Hospital in 1993 with Stage Three cancer.

“She saw a lot of what was going on in the weeks he was here at the hospital,” Monica’s daughter Carolyn Prince said. “She saw the excellent care that he received.”

Monica became involved with the hospital auxiliary and frequently donated her knitted items to sell in the gift shop.
St. Francis Memorial Hospital always felt like home to Monica, especially after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She became nervous when she had to travel for out-of-town appointments. That all disappeared when she came back to St. Francis.

“It was home,” Carolyn said.

Monica passed away at the Valley Manor at the age of 83 on February 15, 2021. Her family will eternally be grateful for the quality care Monica received at St. Francis and at the Manor.

When Felix had passed, Monica wanted to purchase an element in his name.  

“It was important for mom to get a leaf for dad because of the care he received at the hospital,” Carolyn said.

When their mom passed, the family wanted to do the same for Monica to recognize the excellent care she received at the hospital throughout her lifetime.