Chie "Monica" Kolasinski

Chie Monica Kolasinski, formerly of Anniston, AL, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Mt. Carmel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Manchester, NH. 

She was born in 1933 in Omama-machi, Gunma-ken, Japan to Masakichi and Shoko Kobayashi. She was the oldest child, with two brothers, Hironobu and Nobuhiko, and one sister, Akemi. The family briefly lived in Tokyo before returning to the countryside. Later, Monica found a job as an office worker. 

In 1956 she married Thomas John Kolasinski of Winsted, CT who was stationed with the U.S. Army near Tokyo. They were married for 52 years before he passed away in 2009. They had five children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She also has family in Japan.

Monica became a U.S. citizen in 1962. Travels in the Army took the family to Ft. Knox, KY; Okinawa, Japan; and Ft. McClellan, AL. She lived in Alabama from 1967-2012. She was a homemaker, and she also worked as a cook in the mess halls and at the jewelry counter in the PX. She earned a degree from Gadsden State Junior College.

Monica enjoyed quilting, knitting and crocheting, cake decorating, and other arts & crafts. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing outfits for herself and her children and even Barbie clothes.

Those who knew Monica said she was a really sweet woman. Her family also knew she had a wonderful sassy side to her!

A graveside service was held in Winsted, CT. In lieu of flowers, please make time with family and make a commitment to do a charitable act.