Gene Key Monigold

A memorial service for Gene Key Monigold will be held on Wednesday, May 25th at 2pm in the chapel of Marvin United Methodist Church on West Erwin St. with a reception to follow. Dr. John Robbins will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.

Mrs. Monigold was born in Vernon, Texas on December 10, 1924 and passed away peacefully in her sleep in Tyler on May 21, 2011. She was preceded in death by parents Oran R. Key and Mina Claer Key and brother Oran R. Key Jr.

Gene received her bachelors degree (BFA) from Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas (today’s Texas Woman’s University) and worked as an advertising executive for Goodwin, Dannenbaum, Littman and Wingfield in Houston for over 20 years before moving to Tyler in retirement. She was very active in civic affairs and was a former president of both the Tyler Women’s Forum and the Newcomer’s Club and an ardent supporter and advocate for the Salvation Army in East Texas. She also worked backstage and was a Patron of the Tyler Civic Theater.

Gene was an enthusiastic traveler and was never happier than when she was packed and ready to go. She especially loved the family trips to the Monigold property in Michoacan, Mexico where she and Barre cultivated enduring friendships as well as citrus and avocados for sale to commercial interests. A lifelong tennis player and competitor, she was a member of the Hollytree Women’s Tennis Association.

Gene’s depth of compassion, sharp wit and impeccable sense of style will long be remembered by those whose lives she touched. We miss her now and we will miss her forever.

Gene is survived by her husband of 52 years, Barre Monigold of Tyler; nephews and wives Ken and Medora Monigold of Dallas, Phillip and Kay Monigold of Tyler and Chris and Robin Monigold of Garland as well as a host of grand and great grand nieces and nephews.