Bethoe Elice Monson

Our extraordinarily beautiful, talented and sweet Bethoe Elice Monson (nee Leonard), age 91, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025, surrounded by family. Loving wife, mother and best friend, she was our most precious gift.

Bethoe is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Richard Monson, beloved son Gavin (Heather) and daughter Kari (Ron), grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bethoe was preceded in death by her cherished son Philip, loving parents James and Willa Leonard, brothers James, Theo, Vaughn and Karol.

Bethoe exemplified class, dignity, integrity, intelligence, compassion, faith, grace, wisdom, strength and beauty. She was reserved and unassuming, yet regal in countenance. Bethoe was kind, yet strong in back-bone. Although exceptionally talented, she was humble, charming, and fiercely loyal. Bethoe loved with all of her heart.

Born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Bethoe’s parents surrounded her and her brothers with love and laughter, bolstered by faith and music. During WWII, the entire Leonard family helped the war effort by raising money with their musical performances and acrobatic routines at Bond Drives.

Bethoe’s parents moved the family to Chicago in search of better educational opportunities for their children. Coming from a long line of gifted musicians, teachers, preachers, and artists, Bethoe played both the violin and the piano throughout her elementary and high school years. She was a member of the Music Club and played violin in the orchestra. After graduating from Hinsdale High School, she was accepted into the esteemed Cosmopolitan School of Music in Chicago as a Piano Major and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music. A gifted pianist, Bethoe taught many students even before graduating. She also accompanied vocalists at many performances around Chicago, including at Navy Pier for the soldiers.

During music school, Bethoe worked at the famous Lyon & Healy music store in downtown Chicago and was awarded for achieving the highest sales ever recorded in one day in her department. It was such a feat that both the president and vice president of Lyon & Healy came down from their lofty tower to shake her hand.

In her last year of college, Bethoe met the love of her life, Richard Monson, in Downers Grove, IL. They married and moved to Staten Island, NY where she continued to teach and play piano. A few years later, the happy couple moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and became the loving parents of Gavin, Kari and Philip.

Bethoe was also the church organist at the Northern Hills United Methodist Church where she retired after 25 dedicated years of service. Bethoe gave a magnificent performance of Charles-Marie Widor’s incredibly difficult “Toccata,” the 5th movement of Widor’s 5th Symphony for Organ. Bethoe also refinished and restrung her Baldwin baby grand piano, bringing back its original wood finish and sound. It was beautiful.

Bethoe enjoyed Dixieland music, English mysteries, Scrabble, Gin Rummy and Sudoku. She travelled across our great country and visited almost all of the states, including Alaska. She vacationed in several European countries and in Canada, as well.

Bethoe was not only gifted musically, she was known for her legendary cooking skills and had a perfect palate. She was also a great seamstress and made beautiful clothes for herself and her family. The fashion houses in New York City sure missed out. Bethoe also loved playing golf and enjoyed nothing more than hitting the greens and giving the boys a run for their money which she did on a consistent basis (yes, she was that good).

Above all, Bethoe was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She loved her husband and children deeply. She taught her children well. She lavished love and kindness on us all. Nothing was more important to her than family and said that she was happiest when we were all together. We are eternally thankful for our beautiful Bethoe and with broken hearts, we will forever mourn her loss.

Private memorial at the request of our beloved.