Margaret “Rusty" Monroe, 89, the centerpiece of Toledo's jazz scene for decades and whose club, Rusty's Jazz Cafe, became a landmark, died yesterday afternoon at a Punta Gorda, Fla., nursing care center.
She died from complications of a fall more than a week ago at her home in Punta Gorda. She'd been dealing with cancer for years, and her health worsened this year, said Suzanne Carroll, a longtime friend and host of the Jazz Brunch program on WRVF, 101.5-FM.
“She told me at the end [that] she lived a good life, and she did everything she wanted to do, and she had no regrets," said Ms. Carroll, who last spoke with Ms. Monroe about five days ago.
“The Queen of Toledo Jazz - that's how we all know her," Ms. Carroll said. “We love her so much, and she will leave a huge void in the cohesiveness of the jazz community."
Ms. Monroe would have been 90 on Nov. 22.
For most of 40 years, she offered Toledo live jazz every night, year-round.
She died from complications of a fall more than a week ago at her home in Punta Gorda. She'd been dealing with cancer for years, and her health worsened this year, said Suzanne Carroll, a longtime friend and host of the Jazz Brunch program on WRVF, 101.5-FM.
“She told me at the end [that] she lived a good life, and she did everything she wanted to do, and she had no regrets," said Ms. Carroll, who last spoke with Ms. Monroe about five days ago.
“The Queen of Toledo Jazz - that's how we all know her," Ms. Carroll said. “We love her so much, and she will leave a huge void in the cohesiveness of the jazz community."
Ms. Monroe would have been 90 on Nov. 22.
For most of 40 years, she offered Toledo live jazz every night, year-round.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
