Lucille Gandy Monych, passed away peacefully Aug. 16, on the morning of her 99^th birthday surrounded by loved ones. A long-time resident of La Marque, Lucille was born in Honey Island, Texas, to Mitchell and Lela Gandy, one of 14 brothers and sisters. Orphaned at a young age, Lucille went to live with her sister, Onieta, first in Port Aransas, and later in Galveston, where she met the love of her life, Harry Wesley Monych, Jr.

“Hum,” as she was known to many, became an active member of the La Marque community serving the needs of others, especially children. For more than 30 years she and her husband were involved with the 4-H program in Galveston County and were members of Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Lucille served the youth of La Marque, first with her sister, Esther Rice, and later with family and friends, through the Youth Aid Project (YAP) which provided toys for children at Christmas, school supplies and uniforms.  Lucille especially could not bear the thought of a child not having toys for Christmas and worked tirelessly to ensure holidays were special ones for youth.  For years she participated in the Golden Division of the Texas City/La Marque Chamber of Commerce, La Marque Crime Stoppers, Little League and other service organizations. She coordinated the Christmas in August Fundraiser annually to raise funds for YAP. A true pillar of the community Lucille knew no strangers. Anyone who spent five minutes with her felt like a dear friend.

She received the Shining Star Award from the Texas City-La Marque Chamber and the Community Builder Award from the Masonic Grand Lodge in recognition of her community service. She was chosen as a Grand Marshall for the La Marque community Christmas parade, and was selected the Prom Queen in 2021 for Bayou Pines Care Center, where she spent the last year of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Harry Wesley Monych, Jr. She is survived by her brother, Roy Gandy and wife, Barbara; sister-in-law, Martha Monych; children, Patricia Monych  and husband, Warren Miller, Harry Monych and wife, Pam, Betty Schoenbaechler and husband, Louis; grandchildren: Fred Faour and wife, Valerie; Patrick Faour, Wes Monych, John Paul Faour, Jeff Monych and wife, Jennifer; Anna Schoenbaechler and husband, Nick Reynolds; and Mary Schoenbaechler; great grandchildren: Jason Monych  and wife, Morgan;  Justin Monych,  Kasey Faour, Will Faour, Lexie Monych, Alyssa Faour, Katie Faour, Alyson Keith, Jossie Faour, Martin  Martinez, Peyton Faour and Khloe Monych; great-great granddaughter Dahlia June Monych and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, Aug. 26, from 5-8 p.m. at James Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque. Funeral and internment will be Saturday, Aug. 27 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Dickinson.