Mona Nilma Birgitta Bernstrom Gartrell

Mona (84) entered the heavenly realm on August 28, 2023. She slipped away peacefully in her sleep. She was in a NC nursing home at the time. Mona lived in Palm Beach County for 60 years, having moved to the U.S. from Sweden. She was born in Sjobol, Drangsered, Halland Sweden, a small town near the southwest coast. She could vividly recall being scared, when as a young child, the WWII planes would fly over - causing everyone to hunker down, lights off and blackout curtains drawn. She also recalled how difficult it was to get basic supplies because of rationing. At the age of 15, Mona lost her beloved father. The trauma of that loss never left her. After completing her high school courses, she move to Gothenburg, Sweden to train in accounting. Eventually she decided to visit America. Once here, she realized this was where she wanted to stay. She arrived in Florida around 1963-1964. Mona found a job working as a live-in housekeeper for Mr. Stanton Griffis (Ambassador to Poland, Egypt, Argentina and finally Spain). Mr. Griffis was enamored with Mona and her deep Swedish accent. So, when Mona got engaged, he offered up his backyard for their reception. Mona loved meeting many famous people while there, eventually writing a book about her experiences. The book was titled "Do Rich People Have it Maid!" Writing was a passion of hers, and she eventually wrote 9 books covering her experiences growing up in a small town, living in Sweden, the Gartrell family history and several works of fiction. She had 2 books published in Swedish and the remaining 6 in English. She left 1 unfinished fictional work that her daughter hopes to complete one day. After Mr. Griffis’ passing, Mona took a job at the Palm Beach Post, working in the accounting department. Upon leaving the Post, she spent the next 35 years as a housekeeper / laundress for several families across Palm Beach. The last family being the golfer, Raymond Floyd.

Mona is preceded in death by her parents Erik and Nanny Bernstrom, her sister Ellis Wennstrom, her older and younger brothers Egon Bernstrom and Sune Bernstrom, as well as her beloved husband Donald W. Gartrell, whom she adored and took care of after his cancer diagnosis. Mona is survived by her only child Erika Stucker and her favorite son-in-law Tom Stucker both of Garner, NC; her two beloved grandchildren Catherine and Thomas also of Garner, NC; her youngest brother Arvid Bernstrom (Christina) of Torup Sweden; her nephew who was more like a son, Magnus Lars Wennstrom (Elizabeth); and numerous other nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews and distant cousins, most of whom live in Sweden; and several other distant family members spread throughout the U.S.

Mona was strong in her faith and love of God, as well as her Lutheran church. She was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran on Parker Ave before later joining Living Word Lutheran on Lantana Rd. If called upon to run an event, participate in church pageants, write a script for a skit, run the annual yard sale, or work on the altar guild, Mona gave 110% of her energy. She was passionate about her friends and family and was often on the phone calling them to check in. The phone rang so much at her home that her husband would say “The phone rings here all day long but only 1 or 2 of those calls are for me!”

Mona loved to knit and crochet, before her arthritis wouldn’t allow her to do any more. Besides writing, Mona’s next love was reading. In her later years she was a huge fan of John Grisham’s books.

Mona was a force to be reckoned with. Stubborn and often a control freak, she also had the largest heart and love for people. She loved to host parties at her home and to cook for those she loved. Mona will be sorely missed but thought of and spoken about for years to come!

A service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 13th, 2024, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1615 Lake Ave, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460. Anyone who knew Mona is invited to attend. After the service, please join the family in the Fellowship Hall for a feast specifically requested by Mona. The family will share stories of Mona and anyone who wants to speak is encouraged to do so at that time. Mona’s ashes will be placed with her husband Don at the South Florida National Cemetery later in the week. That address is 6501 South State Rd 7, Lake Worth. Everyone is encouraged to donate to their favorite charity in Mona’s name.