It was a beautiful summer day in Del Mar, California, the summer of 2007. Jon and Monica were enjoying a weekend getaway, a gift in which they received from Jon’s sister. We had sat down to have lunch with Jon and Monica at a beachside restaurant and then decided to sit on the beach to watch my children play in the surf and sand. After some time in conversation with the two, Jon had left us for an afternoon massage. I sat with Monica for some time afterwards. She sat posed elegantly on the beach with her legs stretched out, feet crossed, and her arms supporting her body, with a pair of Jackie O glasses adorned upon her face. I can not forget that smile that she had on her face that day, you know the one, the one that lit up any room she walked into and that made anyone feel so special. She looked so relaxed, so glamorous, so……. Monica. She spoke with eloquent words as she spoke of her health and those she held dearly to her heart. She reassured me, with her words of wisdom that just seemed to trickle out of her mouth so easily, that I was doing just fine in the life that I was leading. This is the image of Monica that will last in my mind until the day I see her again. How I wish I can only be half the person that Monica had become. So confident, beautiful, caring, wise, funny, encouraging, and brave. She has truly been an inspiration to us all. I know she is now at peace, and lighting up the heavens with that unforgettable smile she shared with us all.

Monica was truly.....truly a beatiful person... She was pronbably the nicest person i had ever met when i was a "young buck running naked through the woods" in high school(kind of an inside joke back then) I can't remember anyone being that genuienly nice to me .. (no offense mafel) she always had that great smile that would automatically put you in a good mood. I remember one time when she got her first car we drove all the way out to riverside, back then it felt like another state, to visit carol feng or fung can't remeber her name?? and we watched some chessy movie "bronx 2000". weird how all these memories start to come back :) even though i hadn't seen monica much over the years. I was truly blessed to have know her and what a great surprise it was that i had a chance to see her at my 40th surprise party back in october...i will miss that glowing smile of yours Monica....... love... your friend...... george

All the beautiful qualities that many have written about Monica in this tribute encompass a truly special person that made an amazing impact on all that had the privilege to know her. Personally, this is about celebrating the life of a person that really embodied the meaning of grace, strength and compassion. She unselfishly gave herself, unconditionally supported her beliefs, friends and family and mercifully cared for others. I can still see her cheerful smile and hear her say “Hey Masuno. What’s going on?” No matter her situation, Monica was always concerned how I was doing and so positive on life that it was infectious. I enjoyed hijacking her calls to Mafel and spending time on the phone with her so much so that we had an inside joke about having an “affair”. I will miss those times, but my memories of Monica live on as a positive example for me and my family. Monica, I hope you now know how your life inspired and continues to inspire all that you touched with the love and joy for life that only you could bring to this world. Love, Sid aka “Masuno”

I have so many wonderful memories of my sweet friend Monica. Her ability to listen and always say just the thing I needed to hear at that very precise moment. I admired her strength and steadfastness despite her failing health. I liked the way she found comedy in the absurd. It’s hard to believe that I can no longer pick up the phone and hear that positive and lively voice. Although her body failed her, her spirit remained intact. She was ready for the next phase and surrendered all to our Savior. I find peace in knowing that she is in the embrace of our Heavenly Father. I look forward to the day when we will meet again in paradise, where Monica will be, in her heavenly perfect body and her already perfect smile. I thank the Lord for blessing me with a friend like her because I know that she was heaven-sent. The life she lead, and the way she carried herself will continue to encourage me in countless ways. Moniquita, my sweet and wonderful friend, I will treasure your friendship without end. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens… So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-8

Our Beautiful Monica...you are truly missed. God blessed me to have her as a part of my life for 31years and has been my truest of best friends for the past 20+years. Some of my most favorite moments would be when we would call eachother and watch the same show while on the phone so we could gossip about what we were watching, even if it was I Love Lucy and we'd seen it 1,000 times; watching Mrs Monica break it down on the dance floor and pull out those robot moves...no one robots like Monica; the pool side BBQ's, the "christmas shopping adventures", the Rosarito/Ensenada trips, the list just goes on and on. I will forever remember how I would call her and she always knew what to say and when and was usually right!!! Her radiant smile, contagious smile, her sillyness, sweet sassiness, charm and class, her always having an open ear, her positive attitude, the "don't sweat the small stuff" kind of thinking...these are only a fraction of the qualities that are a part of what puts together Mrs. Monica. She really is an inspiration to us all. She was the sister I was never blessed with...I couldn't have prayed for a better friend to share my life with. God truly blessed me when he put you in my life. My Beautiful ChaCha, I miss you more than words will explain but I know you are here watching over us. I know that picture thats crooked, the object that's moved, the thing that fell...that's you letting us know your here. Your absense is one that will never be filled. I love you and miss you deeply my sweet sister!!! Love, CHA CHA

It is unbelievably difficult to lose someone that has meant the world to you for most of your life. When I think of Monica, I think of love and loyalty. Though I was far from perfect, she loved me unconditionally and supported me without judgment. She always gave of herself fully and never expected anything back from anyone. She was such a caring and thoughtful soul. I loved getting all the care packages she would send us in Austin with goodies to remind us that “someone at home” loved and missed us. That was Monica, always thinking of others. And even when she was battling her illness, it was still she who was trying to soothe and comfort us. Some of my favorite memories of our younger years include: Our long talks in cemeteries while smoking cloves and eating chocolate, or waiting for her grandfather’s gnocchi or her father’s homemade pizza to be ready, going to church for our weekly “visits” (after hours cause we’d wake up late), getting frozen yogurt, swimming in her pool, watching every “I Love Lucy” episode, going to video stores and checking out countless B-movies, talking on the phone all night about which boy we’d like to go to the next formal with, and driving all over town in her silver Corolla. I was so lucky to have known her during my formative years because she gave me such a wealth of knowledge. Monica was not only smart and beautiful but she had impeccable manners and exquisite taste. I admired and loved absolutely everything about her. No one knew me better than she did. Girl, my heart will never be ready to let you go so that is exactly where you’ll remain. I will forever miss you, my friend, my sister. You have meant everything and anything to me and I know you know how much I love you. I’ll see you in my dreams. Love, Muffler P.S. You once wrote that when we died we’d meet in heaven for some Halo-Halo . . . I’d like mine with ice cream on the bottom please.