Monica Jeanne Fennerty

Monica Jeanne Fennerty passed away peacefully at her home on November 29. She was born in Seattle, Washington on January 9, 1946 to George and Jeanne Works. She was the third of seven children.
She graduated from Holy Rosary High School in Seattle in 1964, and attended Seattle University. Monica met her husband, Gus, while hiking in the woods east of Seattle. They were married on February 12, 1966 at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle, Washington. Monica had two children and, after Gus transferred from the US Air Force active duty to the reserves, they moved to the Astoria area in 1971. They purchased a farm in the Lewis and Clark area where she lived until her death.
Monica enjoyed living in the country very much. Horseback riding, working with the livestock on the family farm, gardening, supporting her children with their 4-H activities, and hunting with her husband were some of her fondest hobbies. Monica was an active person for all of her life when her health permitted it, as she was diagnosed at age 26 with multiple sclerosis. Despite her illness, Monica continued to be active in St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish and the Altar Society, and also enjoyed writing letters and essays on many topics. She also became an avid swimmer at the Astoria Aquatic Center for as long as her health allowed her to do so. For the last several years of her life, she was a wonderful grandmother and enjoyed visits with her five grandchildren.
Monica was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanne Works, her father, George Works, and brothers Gregory Works and Martin Works.
Monica will be missed by many surviving family members including her husband, Gus Fennerty of Astoria, Oregon; her son, Mick Fennerty, and grandchildren Liam Fennerty and Kieran Fennerty, of Elmira, Oregon; her daughter and son-in-law, Becky Cranna and Michael Cranna, and grandchildren Zachary Cranna, Aidan Cranna, and Colleen Cranna of Annandale, Virginia; her sisters, Miriam Works of Bellevue, Jeanne Marie Thomas of Vashon Island, Claire Works of Seattle; and brother, Larry Works, of Seattle.
Memorial donations may be made in Monica’s name to either of these organizations to which Monica felt personally connected: St. Vincent de Paul Society of Astoria, Oregon or Lower Columbia Hospice of Astoria, Oregon.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be conducted for Monica at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4 at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1465 Grand Avenue, Astoria, Oregon. A Requiem Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, also at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Graveside services will follow at Ocean View Cemetery, Warrenton, Oregon. A reception at the St. Mary’s parish hall in Astoria will follow the graveside services. Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary is handling funeral arrangements.