Mona Faith will long be remembered for her smile, generous spirit and gifts of service to UNMC, Nebraska Medicine and the Omaha community. She died June 2 at age 88.
Faith and her husband, Marshall, were beloved philanthropists of the UNMC and Nebraska Medicine community. They were principal benefactors for the Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, after a personal experience with macular degeneration endangered her eyesight. Years later, they honored their daughter, Leslie, who lost her life to pediatric cancer at age 2 more than 60 years ago.
“Mona and her husband, Marshall, gifted the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center a beautiful outdoor space, Leslie’s Healing Garden,” says Ken Cowan, MD, PhD, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “The garden serves not only as a memorial to the couple’s daughter, Leslie, but a place of respite and relaxation where patients and their families, as well as cancer center staff, can spend quiet time reflecting and enjoying the beauty of nature. Mona was a truly generous woman, and I send my condolences to Marshall and her family.”
“Mona Faith was a passionate advocate for the preservation of vision and Truhlsen Eye Institute’s (TEI) mission to eradicate sight-threatening disease,” says James Gigantelli, MD, former interim chair of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. “Her support, along with that of her husband, Marshall, allowed our faculty to advance TEI’s research programs and to deliver state-of-the-art, sight-saving care to patients in need. We will miss Mrs. Faith’s ongoing support, but vow to continue our mutual quest to bring vision to all people.”
The Faiths’ giving was done with a sincere desire to make life better for others, says Amy Volk, chief development officer for Nebraska Medicine and University of Nebraska Foundation’s senior vice president for UNMC development.
“Mona was an exceptional woman who was devoted to her family and her family was devoted to her. It was evident when the entire family attended the dedication of Leslie’s Healing Garden last year in celebration of Mona’s birthday,” says Volk. “Mona was beaming as she enjoyed seeing the family celebrating and watched them enjoy the garden given in memory of her daughter Leslie’s life. Mona knew that patients and families need a place where they can get outside and marvel in the beauty of God’s creation.”
