Haley McKenzie Monts

HALEY McKENZIE MONTS

It is with heavy hearts, but with a recognition of the blessing that she was to us, that we announce the passing of our beloved and precious daughter, Haley McKenzie Monts on April 5, 2024. Haley’s life was one of determination, perseverance, and unshakeable courage. It will stand as a testament to the power of love and faith and to the strength of character.

Haley was born on November 6, 1995 in Fairfax, Virginia to Carey Stevens Monts and William Leitzsey Monts III. She graduated from George C. Marshall High School with an Advanced Studies diploma in 2014 and received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Grove City College in Pennsylvania in 2018. After college, much to her family’s delight, Haley returned to Northern Virginia and began a career as a grant writer, first at the Granato Group in McLean, VA and then later at the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) in Washington, DC where she held the position of Lead Writer at the time of her passing. Haley relished her work at LAYC, and the opportunities it presented to her helped shape her adult life. Her family is grateful for the mentoring many at LAYC gave her and for the friendships she forged there.

Haley is survived by her parents, Carey and Tripp Monts; her devoted brother, Zachary Monts; her grandparents, Pam and Dan Fitzgerald; many adoring aunts and uncles: Lisa (Stuart) Burgin, Steven (Lisa) Smith, Tommy (Cathy) Derrick, and Patti ( Daryl) Lane; Haley was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Dr. James Allen and Carey Stevens Smith. In addition to her family, Haley will be deeply missed by her many treasured friends and numerous extended family members.

Despite serious medical issues throughout her life, Haley defied the odds with an indomitable spirit and extraordinary courage and grace. She will be remembered for her faith, her concern and tireless advocacy for those who often could not speak for themselves, her intelligence and wit, and her uncompromising pursuit of justice. Despite her many health challenges, she lived to the fullest, filling, as Kipling wrote, the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run.

Her family is grateful to the wonderful team of physicians at The Johns Hopkins Hospital – Dr. Duke Cameron, Dr. Hal Dietz, Dr. Enid Neptune, and Dr. Paul Sponseller – who provided exceptional medical care and continue to do so for many others. Their care and concern for Haley was manifest, and their work, often in the face of great odds, gave Haley a chance to have a full life. They also gave us one of the most precious gifts that any family could ever have, and we will forever be indebted to them. We are also grateful to Dr. Laura Tosi of Children’s National Medical Center for her brilliant surgical skills, which allowed Haley to walk and reach other milestones, and her loving friendship and care for Haley. Finally, we thank the many other doctors, nurses, and staff at Johns Hopkins, Children’s, and Massachusetts General Hospital, who are too numerous to name, for the loving and attentive care Haley received during numerous hospital stays. Their professionalism, dedication, and compassion, along with their incomparable medical skills, gave us and many others the blessing of having Haley in our lives for many years.

Family will receive the many who touched Haley’s life and whose lives she touched on Friday, May 3 from 5 to 9 pm at the National Funeral Home, Falls Church, VA. A service celebrating Haley’s life will be held on Saturday, May 4th at 1 pm at the Worship Center at Columbia Baptist Church, Falls Church, VA. The family welcomes all to join in giving thanks for Haley and the profound effect she had on our lives and those of so many others.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage memorial contributions to a cause Haley held dear: the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation, a division of the Marfan Foundation. Donations may be made online at www.Marfan.org/donate or by check payable to the LDS Foundation and sent to The Marfan Foundation, 22 Manhasset Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050.