86-Year-Old 'Taco Bell Queen' Fulfills Bucket List Wish

When 86-year-old Pauline Monk learned she had stage 4 cancer, she worried about one thing: would she live long enough to see her town's first Taco Bell open?

For years, Monk had hoped Sissonville, West Virginia would get its own location of her favorite fast-food chain. Her son Dana had been working behind the scenes to make it happen, advocating to bring the restaurant to their small suburb of Charleston.

One day, he came to her with news. "Mom, I finally got them to come," he told her. "They're coming. They are going to be here for you."

But shortly after, Monk got devastating news from her doctor. What started as a routine visit for a virus ended with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Doctors gave her just a few months to live.

As construction continued on the Taco Bell, Monk drove past the site wondering if she'd make it. "I'm just trying to guess and figure out, is the Lord going to let me stay here long enough to be able to see that Taco Bell open?" she said.

She did. On opening day, her son brought her to cut the ribbon early, before the crowds arrived. When the doors opened, the waiting crowd erupted in cheers, dubbing her the "Queen of Taco Bell."

The title stuck. Now everywhere Monk goes in Sissonville, people recognize her as the Taco Bell queen. Her family has embraced it too, celebrating her newfound fame and her go-to order: a Nachos BellGrande or chicken quesadilla with cinnamon twists for dessert.

Sunny's Take

But there's more to Monk than her love of tacos. For decades, she's been the one giving to others, baking pies for people in her church and community. "I was happy and joyous to give people pies," she said.

Now that kindness is being returned. Friends and church members have been dropping off food and support as she faces her illness. Her husband of many years has been by her side, caring for her as the cancer spreads.

Monk's faith has brought her peace. "I know the Lord and the Lord knows me," she said. "I feel like when he's ready for me to come home, he'll take me, and I'm ready to go."

Doctors advised against chemotherapy due to her age, and the cancer has since spread to her lungs. But Monk remains focused on what matters: "While I'm here, I want to spread the word of God and be thankful and help people whatever way I can."

The Taco Bell queen got her wish, and in the process, reminded a whole community what it means to live with grace.