Monica (Rick) Hamkins, passed peacefully on February 16, 2026.  She is predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Clark Hamkins and her brothers Jerome and James.  She leaves six loving children, thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her son Christopher (Sabine Liebler), his children Simon, Cassandra, Lilith, and Phoebe, and Sabine's daughters Marie and Laura, Laura's daughters Soraya and Nouria; daughter SuEllen Hamkins, (Theresa Vecchio), and children Tiama Hamkins-Indik (Tim Ando), their child Sora, and Frances Hamkins-Indik; son Eric, (Mary Hamkins), and children Ryan and Sean; daughter Melissa Hamkins (Meredith Hunt); son Joel (Barbara Montero), and their children Horatio and Hypatia; and son Jon, (Meera Srinivasan), and their children Kiran, Jaya and Easan.

Monica was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated from Marquette University with a BS in Medical Technology.  She worked as a medical technologist after her graduation. She raised her family in Wisconsin where she worked as a medical technologist and activities director at a nursing home, moved to Kentucky where she worked for Mother-to-Mother, and retired to Brunswick, Maine. Her later years were spent in Massachusetts and finally California. 

She was a Renaissance woman, an accomplished dressmaker, Master Gardener, and home economist. She was an avid embroiderer, baker, cake decorator, rug maker, beekeeper, and decorative artist. Every year she and her husband made Christmas ornaments for all their grandchildren and embroidered Christmas stockings as new grandchildren arrived.  She loved to laugh and her friends and family enjoyed her lively and witty sense of humor. 

She and Clark were very active, involved parents, becoming leaders of the local 4H club while their children were members. She and her family camped and traveled, which she and Clark continued after his retirement as they enjoyed travel around the world and to visit their widespread children and grandchildren. She enjoyed seeing and doing new things.  A special joy were yearly weeklong gatherings with all her children and grandchildren, often at Twin Pines camp on Lake Millinocket in Maine with a view of Mount Katahdin, where the family enjoyed swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, campfires and s’mores.

Monica was passionate about her children and grandchildren and because of that she was an advocate for marriage equality. 

Monica’s remains will be scattered in several places meaningful to her. No services are planned and we invite you to celebrate in your own way.  We welcome you to share remembrances in the comments below.