Naples, Fla.
Sara B. (Gantz) Monschein, 77, of Naples, FL, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2021, at her home in Naples.
Sara was born on April 6, 1944 to Alan B. Twyman and Emma B. (Parker) Twyman in Dayton, Ohio. She enjoyed academics and was a Little Colonel in the school marching band at Colonel White High School in Dayton. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington, IN and joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She later continued her studies at IU and received a Master’s degree in Education and became a teacher. She taught at Northeast Elementary in Greenwood, Indiana and then later at Oakridge Middle School in Collier County, Florida. It was here while she taught history and geography that she became the Florida Social Studies Council Teacher of the Year in 1998. She also edited several teaching guides as a consultant for McGraw Hill.
She was passionate about many things in her life. After the death of her daughter, Jennifer, she became the president of the Greater Indianapolis SIDS chapter. She was involved in Just Say No and Toys for Tots. She was a staunch Republican, helping friends and family in local elections in Indiana, as well as national elections in Florida. Sara was a proud patriot and loved her country immensely.
Never one to sit still, she enjoyed many other activities in her spare time. She loved to travel, covering all states in the US except Idaho, took many trips to the Caribbean, and even got to go to South Korea to meet her grandson, Mikey Kmak. She and her husband enjoyed numerous hours sailing their boat, Blarney, especially when they were involved in regattas to Key West and back. They both volunteered to help with local theater productions at The Naples Players and she enjoyed gardening at The Naples Botanical Gardens.
Above all, she was always a teacher… patient, supportive, and actively listening. She would suggest, but not demand. She helped people instead of helping herself. As one of her friends said it best…”she was an angel on earth.”
Sara was predeceased by her parents, Alan and Emma Twyman; her brother, Alan P. Twyman; and her daughters, Jennifer Gantz and Carol (Monschein) Mahlouji. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Fred Monschein; sister, Elizabeth Hyde; children, Erica (Brian) Kmak, Jeff (Diana) Gantz, Debbie Annello, Terri Monschein, and Mike Monschein; grandchildren, Mikey Kmak, Gracie Kmak, Josh Gantz, Jackie Gantz, Brian Anello, Chasity (Chris) Boatman, Chelsea Monschein, Tosha Smith, and Bijan (Amy) Mahlouji; and five great-grandchildren.
A brief service for immediate family will be held at the Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Home in Greenwood, IN on Saturday, October 23, followed by a private burial service at the Greenwood Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life will be held later that day. Please contact Jeff Gantz at 317-577-9000 for details regarding the Celebration of Life.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sara’s memory can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
