Mona Sen was born in Asansol, West Bengal, India, in 1965. Her father, who passed away in 2009, was Indian, and her mother is American.

She lived in India and the United States during her childhood, then completed junior high and high school in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mona attributed her love of languages to the many tongues she heard within her family and across the countries and expatriate communities where she lived.

Her life was shaped by an early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1986, when she was 20 years old. Mona completed her undergraduate studies in psychology at Wells College in Aurora, New York—a defining period in her life during which she formed many lifelong friendships and joined a community of "Wells Sisters" who accompanied her throughout the years.

She completed her graduate studies at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, earning a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. While in St. Louis, Mona completed her clinical work at the National MS Society. As her MS symptoms worsened, she chose not to pursue a career in occupational therapy, dedicating herself instead to educating others about the challenges of living with the disease. She was an active support group leader in upstate New York, where she gave numerous talks and presentations. She also wrote frequently for Everyday Health, an award-winning online health resource featuring leading medical professionals, sharing her outlook and experiences living with MS.

In 2016, Mona's memoir, The Shifting Creek, was published in the United States. The book chronicles her childhood across several countries, her formative years in school and college, and her long journey living with MS.

Mona's treatment options were limited by her existing health conditions, and she chose to forgo further medical interventions, weary of a life defined by illness. At peace with her decision, she passed away free of pain on the morning of October 2, 2025. Many friends and family members from near and far visited her in her final weeks, showing her how deeply she was loved.

She is survived by her mother, Joyce Sen, her brother, Jai Sen, and her partner of two decades, David Krchelich.

Her family asks that donations be made in her name to the National MS Society, an organization that fights valiantly for people with MS and consistently supported Mona throughout her 40-year journey with the disease.

The family will be holding a celebration to commemorate Mona 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at her home.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to, www.hellerskinnerfh.com ; Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, 155 Main St., Worcester, NY.