MARYLAND - Monica was born Jan. 23, 1979, and was a bright light until Aug. 1, 2019, when she left this world surrounded by the love of family and friends. Monica courageously fought cancer for nearly eight years, but she didn't allow that to define her.

What meant most to Monica was her loving family, her daughter, Ella, parents, Mary and Josh, brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Erin, sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Graham, nieces and nephews, Xander, Gwyn, Jake, Mac and Poppy, and all of her extended family of loving aunts, uncles and cousins and her special grandmother, Betty.

Monica was an incredible mother to her daughter, Ella, who was the bright light of her life. Monica leaves behind so many loving friends, whose support for her over the years was unyielding.

Everyone who met Monica was touched by her in some way. It was Monica's wish for family and friends to not mourn her passing, but to celebrate her life. In keeping with that wish, a celebration of her life is being planned for a date to be announced in September.

Monica's family asks that anyone who wishes to make a donation do so to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care at https://sqspca.org/support/.