Obituary of Monica Ray Scharnowske

Monica Ray was taken into creator’s arms in the early morning hours of September 17, 2018, surrounded by family and her precious poodle, Lilly Ruby Rose.

Born in Evansville, Indiana on October 20, 1944, Monica was the first of three children born to Ralph and Emma Ward.  She grew up in Yakima, Washington, where she attended St. Paul Elementary and Junior High School, and graduated from AC Davis High School.

Upon graduation, Monica followed her heart to Seattle where she married her high school sweetheart, Jim Dornan.  It was then that Monica began her long and successful career in the financial industry, eventually working her way up the ladder to become one of the first woman in management with the Bank of California.  After becoming irreconcilable, she and Jim divorced.  Monica remained single for several years, continuing her path in the financial industry.  It was through this avenue that she met her second husband, Robert Scharnowske.  She and Robert eventually separated and divorced as well.

It was at that time in her life that Monica decided to follow her lifelong dream and TRUE passion of becoming a registered nurse.  Her natural ability for compassion and attentiveness made this a well suited vocation for her.  In 1995, at the age of 50, Monica received her Registered Nurse pin from Seattle Central Community College.

In 1996, she moved to Olympia, Washington, where she began her second career in nursing.  She spent her first four years in nursing at a convalescent home in West Olympia. In 2000, she accepted a position at Western State Hospital.  She spent the remainder of her nursing career there, working her way up from a temporary nurse to charge nurse of two different wards. After 15 years of service, she retired from nursing.

Monica was a loving sister, aunt, friend, and most assuredly the best dog momma a poodle could ask for.  She will be remembered fondly and missed deeply by all those who had the pleasure of knowing her.

She is survived by her niece, Angelina Ward (Christopher Burkhart); great nephews, Eaven Hester-Ward, Xavier J. Valenzuela, Christopher V. Burkhart; great niece, Nevaeh Burkhart; niece-in-law, Sarah Valenzuela; sister-in-law, Eleanor Valenzuela-Ward; and her precious poodle, Lily Ruby Rose. She is preceded in death by both her parents; her sister, Cabrini Williams; and her brother, Ralph V. Ward.

Mass and Rosary will be held on October 6, 2018, 10:00 a.m. in the chapel at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 South 12^th Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902. Immediately following the services, there will be brunch in the church reception hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your local humane shelter in honor of Monica and her passion and love for dogs.