Mona Frontain
Birthday: 1931
Mona Myrle Frontain was born into poverty in Alabama in 1931. Fortunately she traveled throughout the United States while her father was in the Navy. In these travels she developed a passion and love for art music education and diverse cultures. In 1954 Mona married Richard Frontain who had just accepted a scholarship for a master's degree at the UofA. They moved to Tucson where she immediately embraced the rich cultural life in the southwest. Mona worked full-time while having four children. Mona was unable to realize her dream of obtaining a college degree until she became employed at the UofA in the School of Music as an assistant in the Music Library. Ten years of attending school part-time while employed full time at the UofA resulted in a Bachelor's of Art in English Literature. Within a few years she resumed her education and within three years obtained her Master's in Library Science. She was the first member of her immediate family to obtain an education beyond high school. "A true patriot" was how Mona described herself. She also held a deep belief in God and was a constant example of brotherly love both at work and at home. As a music librarian she mentored (and fed) countless numbers of undergraduate and graduate students. She attended countless rehearsals and recitals especially if the student's family was unable to attend. It was important to her to encourage each student to do their best and to have a passion for music. Many students stayed in touch with her after obtaining their degree. Following Mona's retirement in 1997 she obtained a teaching certificate and became a substitute teacher for K-12 students in the Tucson Unified School District so she could further serve her community. She preferred teaching in impoverished schools and encouraged students to finish their schooling and then go to a two or four year institution. "A true gypsy" is how her friends and family would describe Mona. She was open to diverse cultures and experiences. Mona would attend Native American ceremonies throughout Arizona and New Mexico and attend sessions with devotees of Ghandi. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed attending theatrical productions to support her love of the arts. Her sense of humor was one of her finest features and she would often cite quips from literature in her joke and story telling (especially quotes from Chaucer). Mona's wish for this world was for peace respect and understanding. Her life is a legacy to these wishes. Submitted by her daughters Felicia Michel and Maria Frontain.