Monica Elmore

11/16/65 - 1/26/14

Monica Cavin Elmore, 48 passed away on Sunday 1/26/14, She was born on November 16, 1965 at White Sands Missile Range, NM to Mike Cavin, an Army pilot and Margie (Coleman) Cavin, a onetime WAC who later reentered the Army and served as a Labor and Delivery nurse at many Army Hospitals. Monica enjoyed her military upbringing, but by far, her happiest years were spent in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband Bob and her children.

She is survived by her loving husband Bob, 3 sons, Zachary Golleher, Robert and Gerad Griffith, the Gollehers of Jacksonville, Florida and the Griffiths of Ashland, KY; her stepchildren Linda Williams (Keith) and Karen Davis (Jason) and 3 step grandchildren Jack and Sydney Williams and Sara Davis.

Her favorite activities included taking care of her husband and family, watching her 3 sons and 3 step-grandchildren play sports and other extracurricular activities. Until being diagnosed with brain cancer, Monica enjoyed long walks and bike rides with her husband. She enjoyed volunteering at the VA Hospital, the schools her children attended and teaching Catechism at her Parish.

In lieu of flowers, Monica would appreciate a donation in the name of her children, step-grand children, or husband to a food bank that would directly benefit the parish, St. Thomas More (Louisville) or Holy Family (Ashland). The CAP (clothing assistance program for Jefferson County Public schools) would be an appreciative donation recipient as well.

A Tribute to Monica's  Military Life

Monica was the proverbial “Army Brat”. She was born at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Her mother was an Army labor and delivery nurse. Her Dad was a helicopter pilot who served a couple of tours in Vietnam. She is being interred here today because I am also an Army Veteran. After you hear how she spent her life from childhood to early adulthood, you might agree she has earned this privilege from her own service in a dual role. First as a child being raised on Army installations and being the wife of an active duty Special Forces soldier.

Monica began her military life at White Sands but lived at many Army installations throughout her life. She even spent some years here at Fort Knox where she attended school as her mother served as a nurse at Ireland Hospital. She graduated from high school in El Paso, TX at Irvin High School while her mother was doing her duty at Fort Bliss. As a young child she lived at Fort Rucker while her Dad was taking helicopter training. Her mother also took young Monica to live at Fort Leonard Wood for a brief tour.

She lived several years in Germany both as a minor dependent and as a dependent to her first husband, SFC James Golleher. She met Jim while living in Germany. Her first child Zachary was born in Germany. Jim was a Special Forces soldier who was killed in Bosnia in December of 2000. While married to Jim, they also spent time at Fort Campbell, Fort Bragg and Fort Ord. I’m losing count of all the military installations she called home. I hope I haven’t left any out. She used to say, “I grew up in “Army Housing”.”

Monica thought it would be a good idea that we would find some place to volunteer our time. Her first choice was the VA Hospital in Louisville. What better way for her to continue her service to the US military. It turned out to be one of the best decisions she ever made for us. It was and is one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I can never thank her enough for the idea and decision for us to do our volunteer work there.

This past summer while she was well enough to travel, we went to Daytona for a week. The stops she wanted to make on the way were Fort Campbell, Fort Bragg, her Dad’s grave in Atlanta and her first husband’s grave in Jacksonville. Knowing it might be the last real vacation she would ever take, she wanted to show me where she lived during her military years and to see the two most important military men in her life. Monica’s whole life revolved around the military in some way.

By now you may be getting a picture of Monica’s service to the Army. Her pride and love for the military was evident to all who knew her. I can think of no more fitting tribute to her than being placed here* with her military family. I will find it an honor to be resting next to her one day. She has truly earned her right to be here with the people she held so dear. Once again she will be residing in “Army Housing”

I know Monica has a right to be here because of my service, but it is her service I wanted to recognize today.

Rest in peace Monica. I love you,

Your Loving Husband,

Bob

* Monica's ashes are being interred at the Kentucky Veteran's Cemetery at Radcliffe, KY near Fort Knox.