Ramona Rae Wiley

Ramona Rae (Veenker) Wiley went home to heaven July 13 at Treasure Coast Hospice with her loving family by her side. She was the oldest daughter of Raymond and Lois Veenker, who were Christian missionaries in northern Nigeria, West Africa. Born in the City of Jos, she lived her early years in the Village of Kwoi where her parents were stationed. She attended the Kent Academy boarding school in Miango. She learned to speak Hausa, the native language of that region and grew up with an appreciation for the local culture and people. She retained memories of the language and the experiences of her youth throughout her life and frequently told stories of those days to her children and friends. She came to faith in Jesus at a young age and retained her faith till the end.

At age 13 she remained in the USA as her parents and sisters returned to Africa. She did not see them again for 5 years. She was enrolled in a Christian boarding school in North Carolina (Ben Lippen) and completed high school there in 1966. It was there that she met Dan Wiley, the young man who would later become her husband. After graduating, she attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago for one year and then transferred to schools in Michigan near where her guardians lived; first Kellogg Community College in Kalamazoo and later to Western Michigan University. She graduated from Western in 1971 with a degree in English. She and Dan were married on August 15, 1970, and moved to Florida in 1972 to escape harsh winters and for Dan to complete his education.

Mona and Dan have lived in Florida since 1972, first in Miami and later in Lake Worth while Dan completed his education at Florida Atlantic University. They subsequently moved to North Palm Beach and lived there for 30 years till ultimately moving to Hobe Sound where they have resided till the present. Over the course of these years Mona built a reputation as a strong woman who could do whatever she put her mind to doing. She was a sister, wife, mother to two children, and grandmother. She became a great cook and even for a while became famous for her pies which she sold under the name of Pie a la Mona. She was active in church. She practiced her faith in financial and personal support for Christian and charitable causes around the world. Her circle of active friends extends all the way back to grade school. She was a friend to all and developed many groups of friends that continue to this day. She joined a book club of which she was a part for 30 years. She regularly had lunch with teacher friends from days when she taught English to speakers of other languages. She was an officer in the Women’s Club of the community in which she lived. She cooked regularly for an organization dedicated to helping the homeless in her area. She was a wonderful and supporting wife to Dan, helping him start his business and an essential part of its operation. She was a faithful attendee of her church and lived her faith every day. She was the strongest person I know.

In Mona’s life she experienced many separations. These separations made an indelible mark on her and each later parting, whether long or short, was painful. But for her, separations are no more. She has entered her eternal home there to rest in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with no more tears, no more pain and no more separations. Well done, Mona. You finished the course. Your work here is done. Your legacy of faith, love, determination, and service will live on in the lives you touched with such humor, integrity, and care.