Monica Marie West (née Mejchar), 67, of Milwaukee, was born to eternal life on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Monica will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother (known as "Kitty Grandma"), sister, aunt, daughter, and cat-mom. She lived the entirety of her life dutifully and humbly serving others. From her first working day to her last Monica was known for her tremendous work ethic whether it was in her service as a Milwaukee Police Officer following her Police Academy graduation in 1985; her brief but legendary proprietorship of Lounge Lizards, or in her varied roles in the service industry throughout her lifetime at a number of the most iconic Milwaukee establishments (Lotus, William Ho's, Savoy Room, Balistreri's Bluemound Inn, George Webbs, and most recently Outpost Natural Foods).
Monica was creative and had many quietly kept talents and hobbies. She was skilled in embroidery and crochet but also painted and enjoyed learning new mediums and art forms. She loved food, especially cooking for her friends and family. Monica also had an affinity for orchids and enjoyed true crime TV, eccentric gift giving, the State Fair, unashamed irreverent storytelling, crossword puzzles, and crazy cat T-shirts.
Monica could be as effortlessly stunning in her MPD uniform, a halter cut gown, or her later in life signature mohawk haircut, but she generally disliked being photographed. She could be sweet yet exuded a tough exterior. Underneath, she was extremely tenderhearted. Though in the last almost two years she carried a greater sense of peace and joy than in many years, it remains true that over time, Monica's long silent struggles with alcohol use disorder limited more and more of her capacity for the things and people in life she loved most. Still, she shared and did what she was able and regularly spoke with tremendous pride in her family and genuine appreciation for those she worked alongside at Outpost - State Street. To her friends, past colleagues/former customers, and extended family - If you knew her once but had lost your connection, she likely missed you. If she loved you once, she still does.
Monica is survived by her daughter Leila Mousai and son-in-law Paul Krause of Appleton, WI; her grandchildren Nima “Champ”, Mina, Hailey, Lauren, and Ben; sister Juliana Nadeau of Lake in the Hills, IL and brothers John (Deborah) Mejchar of Rio, WI and Benny Mejchar of Atami, Japan. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, friends and her beloved cat Purrcy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sachiko Bernadette and Arthur Paul Mejchar.
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 9:30 AM, followed by a celebration of a Mass of Christian Burial for Monica at 11 AM at St. Roman Parish, 1710 W. Bolivar Ave., Milwaukee.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Trout Museum of Art in Appleton, WI, to fund adult education scholarships in Memory of Monica and her mother, Sachiko Mejchar
