Hello. I’m Mona Clites and will be received into the church on April 3, 2022. I started to come here full-time in summer 2019 and have made so many friends that are so much a part of my life in Wilmington.
I moved here in June 2016 to take a job at UNCW where I work in the Campus Life department (the Student Union) as the Director of Facilities and Business Operations. I previously was at a small community college in Cumberland, MD, for 25 years, where I was the Vice President of Administrative Services after also having worked as a Librarian in the library there.
At St. Paul’s, I have been able to use my talents on the Facilities Committee writing an RFP and helping interview and work with the architect who has helped develop the Long-Range Plan as part of the Vestry’s Strategic Plan. I have thoroughly enjoyed this project and look forward to the continued progress. I have also become a greeter at the 8 a.m. service and usually attend 8 but sometimes come to 10:30.
My greatest accomplishment in life is being the mother of two daughters–one who lives in Chicago as a graphic designer and the other who lives in Pittsburgh and works at Pitt University as she completes a master’s degree. I’m thankful to be coming to “the other side” of COVID so that I can see them more often, whether they get here for a couple of days, or I see them where they live. We also try to get to Lewisburg, WV, where my parents, brother, and sister live. I also have a sister who lives in Little River, SC, so I do get to see her fairly often now that I am nearby. Family time is always a great highlight and I’m lucky to have a wonderful family who help each other out whenever it is needed.
If you know me, you also know that I love to do many things locally. I love to host events; go the live events such as concerts, plays or musicals; do jigsaw puzzles, coloring, or work in my yard; go to restaurants or breweries; and always LOVE going to any beach any time I can. I’ve found my piece of heaven in Wilmington and St. Paul’s has been at the center of much of my life here.
I’m looking forward to being a full-fledged Episcopalian especially because it is happening at St. Paul’s.