Monae Tressa Gooden

     Monae Tressa Gooden, age 62, of Roosevelt, began her journey on April 23, 2024.
     She was born in Vernal, Utah, on April 28, 1961, to Roy Louis Gooden and Ida Jane Houle Gooden. She was the second youngest of six sisters.
     Monae was a scholar and graduated in 2014 with a degree in holistic healing from Red Rocks Community College in Denver, Colorado. She was the head captain of both the cheer and drill teams at Intermountain Intertribal School in Brigham City, Utah. She took great pride in the care she provided to many with her herbal remedies, crystals, and healing stones. Monae followed her traditional ways, participating in sweat lodges and Pow Wows across the country. She was an activist for the American Indian Movement in the 1970s and an honored member of the National Warriors Society. She had many hobbies and passions, including sewing, quilting, canning, collecting rocks and crystals, reading, gathering natural herbs for her homemade remedies, finding essential oils, picking asparagus in the spring, gardening, spending time in the mountains, hiking, feeding and rescuing hummingbirds, listening to rock and country music, caring for her elders, collecting beautiful jewelry, fashion, making traditional Ojibwe regalia, tending to her plants, cooking, and preparing meals for her loved ones. Monae always made enough food to feed a whole army, enjoyed drinking Coca-Cola, telling incredible stories, and riding horses with her granddaughters. Her specialty in the kitchen was spaghetti soup, frybread, chili mac, enchiladas, and many more dishes.
     Monae had a passion for caring for others, regardless of the distance; she was always there. She was resourceful and did her best to make the most out of every situation. Monae also had a love for her traditional beliefs, mostly from the Ojibwe people. She loved singing and drumming for people to hear her beautiful voice. She continuously practiced her ways and passed down her wisdom to her loved ones. Monae's first and only true love was her son, Monaco Curtis Weidner, who then blessed her with the opportunity to be a loving grandmother to Natawnee Maleah Weidner and R’eahnee Makayla Weidner, whom she loved with all her heart. She always called Natawnee her "MonFee" (my girl) and R’eahnee, "Agitchata" (baby doll).
     Monae is survived by her son, Monaco Weidner (Mary); granddaughters, Natawnee and R’eahnee Weidner; siblings, Myrna Gooden (Fred), Myra Hartman, Morna Gooden, Monica Gooden (Delbert Beston), and various nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
     She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Mona Velez.
     Per her wishes, she was cremated and did not want any type of services.
     Her memories will always reside in the hearts of those whom loved her.