Monique van de Ven was surrounded by loving friends at her home when she peacefully passed away on Friday, January 27. She will be remembered for her joyful, creative approach to life and for the inspiring way she faced cancer. Her strength and honesty were fundamental to her success in building a community that fostered friendships among all those who loved her. Her many interests gave her a wide circle, encompassing nature, conservation, the arts, peace activism, T'ai Chi, women's issues, and spiritual rituals.

Born in London on May 21, 1960, brought up in Sweden and the Netherlands by Dutch parents, and having received her BA in psychology at the University of Groningen, Monique visited the United States in her early twenties and never left. She found employment in Vermont as a manager for the 125-acre Fieldstone Estate of South Woodstock. Eventually, with her expertise developed on the farm, she became the regional director of the Northeast Jacob Sheep Breeder Association.

Monique could do it all: carpentry, painting, masonry, and rudimentary plumbing. At the same time that she was managing the Fieldstone Estate, she also was building up her construction business, Woodstock Finishing Touch, which she had founded with a partner. In 1993, she earned her MBA from Plymouth State College; and then, in 1994, she became the sole proprietor of Old World Restorations, specializing in the preservation of historic homes in the Upper Valley.

Health concerns put an end to her rigorous work in construction but did not dismay Monique for long. Her optimism and "can do" energy led her to switch gears, educate herself anew, and embark upon an entirely different career. In 2006, at Woodbury College in Montpelier, she got qualified in Mediation and Conflict Management, then used her considerable communication skills to serve women through her position as a financial counselor at the nonprofit Safeline.

Monique is survived by her mother, Hilly Bertels, her two sisters Birgitta and Petra, and her brother Mark van de Ven, along with many nieces and nephews. Her father, Andre van de Ven, died in 1998. Her remaining family lives around Driebergen in the Netherlands.

In all her public and private roles, Monique made fast friends. Some friends will remember her as the person who took them mushrooming or cross-country skiing in woods and fields. Some will recall the luminous essays she wrote in memoir workshops. Some will think of her whenever they come across her beautiful, innovative works in watercolor and ceramics. Some will never forget her contributions to various cancer survivor groups and to the Nonviolent Communication gatherings in Randolph and White River Junction. Some still have a vivid image of Monique drumming with Barnard's Women on the Edge. Some will long for the potluck parties Monique hosted on her hillside in South Royalton, the evenings by the bonfire with songs. Many will envision her at the last as a lithe silhouette going down the road to meet her beloved dog Tisha, who went before.

A memorial service is planned for 11:00am. on Saturday, February 4, in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Woodstock, Vermont, with a reception to follow at the church. Donations may be made in Monique's name to the charity or organization of one's choice.