Remembering UNMC supporter Mona Faith

Mona Faith will long be remembered for her smile, generous spirit and gifts of service to UNMC and the Omaha community. She died June 2 at age 88.

Mona and Marshall Faith

Faith and her husband, Marshall, were beloved philanthropists of the UNMC 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,” said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., 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,” said James Gigantelli, M.D., 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.”

Faith had many commitments to charitable activity. In addition to raising four children, she served for 10 years on the Friends Board of Children’s Hospital. Her favorite job during the time was being “the Toy Lady.” She was part of the founding board that developed Quality Living Inc. (QLI Tri-Dimensional Rehabilitation) in Omaha and also was an active leader and board member of Girl Scouts. In addition, she was among the founding members of Rockbrook United Methodist Church and was an active supporter of Omaha Youth for Christ and Young Life Programs.

She is survived by her husband, Marshall, whom she met in elementary school in Salina, Kan. The couple married in 1949 and learned early in life about giving back and investing in people and causes. With his wife at his side, Marshall Faith purchased the majority share of what was called Scoular-Bishop Grain Company in 1967, and then led The Scoular Company for 45 years. Faith also is survived by her four children, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

The Faiths’ giving was done with a sincere desire to make life better for others, said Amy Volk, the University of Nebraska Foundation’s senior vice president for UNMC development and chief development officer for Nebraska Medicine.

“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,” she said. “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.”

A memorial service will be Friday, June 8 at 2 p.m. at the Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Road. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Hospice House, 7415 Cedar St., Omaha, Neb., 68124.