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Even: Community makes couple’s final date night a reality
Melissa Even

This year has taken a toll on all of us. With so much emotional and economic fear and uncertainly, we sometimes lose sight of what is important and how much simple conversation between two people can turn in to such a heartwarming experience. 

Kelly Johnson from Monroe Hospice reached out to me because she wanted to find a way to do something for a client during our Safer at Home order. 

With time in limited supply, we came up with a few ideas: The following story is one of the greatest accomplishments that being part of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce can do for a community. I am proud of our community and everyone that took part to help this become a reality. 

mike sue isely
Mike “Bush” and Sue Isely

The following was written and submitted by Kelly Johnson, RN: 

Mike Isely (Bush Man) became a Monroe Clinic Hospice patient around the middle of March. I quickly and easily learned many things about him. Mike and Sue asked to keep visits on Mondays and Thursdays because they have “date night Tuesday,” when they would always visit downtown Monroe for a movie and dinner every week for many years. With COVID-19 preventing this from happening, the couple was unable to see a movie or sit down and eat at a restaurant. I knew I wanted to do something special for them. I met with Melissa Even at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. She happily and quickly came up with some great ideas to make something special happen to continue a date night for Mike and Sue. Melissa suggested the Monroe Theatre Guild, so I called Denise and she was overjoyed and willing to do whatever she could to help make it happen. Denise and her son made the theater look beautiful. Some construction was underway at the MTG during COVID-19, but that did not stop them. Monroe High School associate principal Jeriamy Jackson was more than happy to help with the projector and also helped make sure things went smoothly. Nadine Brown from Pancho & Lefty’s was happy to hear about the surprise and without hesitation, offered to provide dinner. Emma Sanders was happy to serve them and give them a restaurant style dinner in the beautiful lobby of the MTG. On Tuesday, April 28, Mike and Sue were able to hold their Tuesday date night. Mike sadly passed away with his family at his bedside on Thursday, May 28. Thank you to all who did not hesitate to make something beautiful happen for Mike and Sue Isely.


— Melissa Even is the executive director for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at melissa@monroechamber.org.