In September 2024, surrounded by love in her own home, Lori Monthei slipped peacefully from this world. She was a TRU hospice patient, tenderly cared for not only by TRU’s team but also by her devoted sister, Marcia Lattanzi-Licht. For Marcia, the experience was deeply personal. She is one of TRU’s founders, part of the original visionaries who established Boulder Hospice decades ago—and now she has found herself again leaning on the very organization she helped bring to life.
Lori’s life was as remarkable as it was creative. After a long and successful career which included managing a prestigious international law firm, she turned her energy toward jewelry-making. Working with beads, jewels, and precious stones became not just an artistic outlet but also a healing practice, helping her manage chronic pain. Lori poured love into every piece she made, gifting her beautiful creations to family, friends, and charitable causes.
When Lori died, her legacy continued in an extraordinary way. Marcia made a gift from her sister’s estate—donating bins filled with beads, stones, and jewelry-making materials, along with a financial contribution to TRU Grief Services. The vision was simple yet profound: to create a welcoming, creative space where people navigating loss could honor their loved ones by making memorial keepsakes.
Through this gift, Lori’s art lives on. Each strung bead, each piece crafted, becomes a tribute not only to those we’ve lost but also to the healing power of community, creativity, and remembrance.
Grief touches every life, and at TRU Community Care, no one walks that journey alone. TRU Grief Services’ grief groups are available to all—regardless of ability to pay—because we believe healing should never have a barrier. Thanks to Lori’s legacy, and Marcia’s vision, we can continue to offer solace, connection, and meaning to those finding their way through sorrow.
The first of these workshops will take place on Tuesday, September 30 from 6 to 7:30 pm. Reserve your spot at this or another upcoming group by visiting www.trucare.org/griefgroups or calling TRU Grief Services at (303) 604-5300.
