Olee Monroe, 88, passed away on Friday, Dec. 18 at Oak Valley Hospital in Oakdale. She was born on Nov. 3, 1921 and had been a resident of Oakdale for the past four years and a previous resident of Bandera, Texas and Escalon.

She started a 37-year career as a nurse’s aide at Escalon Hospital. She trained as an obstetrics nursery aide at Oakdale Municipal Hospital. She continued at Manteca Hospital and attended Manteca Adult Education where she earned her L.V.N. License. Her last place of employment was City Hospital in Modesto; she retired in 1983. Her favorite things to do were sewing and later piecing quilts and quilting for her grandchildren. She enjoyed hosting get togethers for family and friends. Most importantly, she was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Survivors include her husband Erbie Monroe, married for 32 years; her daughter Bettie Roche of Oakdale; her son Donald Baker of Manteca; her grandchildren Kandis Roche of Sterling, Colorado, Sandra Hirt of Sawyer, Kansas, Elizabeth Rossini of Oakdale, Kurt Sanders of Tracy and Donna Baker of Chowchilla; 12 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her brothers Samuel McCutcheon of Memphis, Tenn. and Armon McCutcheon of Eula, Ark.

Memorial service was on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at Deegan Funeral Chapel in Escalon. Burial at Burwood Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1765 Challenge Way #115, Sacramento, CA 95815.

Arrangements by Deegan Funeral chapel with an online guest book available at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Dec. 23, 2009