Marianne Lomonaco Canetti

Marianne LoMonaco Canetti was born on March 3, 1951, in New York City, the eldest of three daughters born to Matteo LoMonaco and Josephine Como. Her father came from Balestrate, her mother from Castellammare del Golfo, two small coastal towns just outside of Palermo, Sicily, and they brought with them the warmth, the faith, and the fierce love of family that would become the foundation of Marianne's own life.

When Marianne was eight years old, the family made their way west to California, beginning the chapter that would become her home for the rest of her life. She went on to study pre-medicine and biological sciences at the University of California, Irvine, with every intention of going to medical school. While working at a speech and hearing clinic during her application season, she found the work so meaningful and the connections so rewarding that she changed course, earning her Master's degree in Communication Disorders from California State University, Los Angeles, and building a career around that calling.

For thirty-seven years, Marianne served students of Los Angeles County through the Los Angeles County Office of Education, working as a speech-language pathologist across schools including Torrance Elementary, El Segundo Middle School, and Imperial School. She made her mark as a bilingual specialist and also had a remarkable gift for working with children with profound disabilities, connecting with them through her warmth, enthusiasm, and song.

Music was not just something Marianne did, it was a part of who she was. A gifted vocalist with a love for musical theatre and big band music, she gave her voice most fully to her faith communities. She served as a cantor at Holy Trinity (San Pedro) and Saint Margaret Mary (Lomita), before making Saint John Fisher Catholic Church (Rancho Palos Verdes) her spiritual home for over twenty-five years, singing in the choir and helping lead the children's choir.

Her Italian heritage was something she carried with great pride and great joy, in her travels to Sicily, in her table always set for more people than expected, and in her meatballs, which were legendary. She cooked with warmth and generosity, and feeding the people she loved was one of her favorite ways of showing her care.

Marianne was a devoted mother to her three children, Chris, Cathy, and James, whom she lovingly called the “loves of [her] life.” She raised them with a strong foundation of faith and instilled the values of love, service, and hard work. In the past decade, she found her greatest joy in being “Nonna.” Her grandchildren, Sunny, Matteo, Luca, and Stella, were true gifts from God, and she loved and embraced that role with her whole heart.

She is survived by her three children, Christopher John (Chelsea), Catherine Elizabeth (Jacob), and James Michael (Heide); her four grandchildren, Sunny, Matteo, Luca, and Stella; her sisters, Josephine and Nina; and numerous cousins and dear friends.

Flowers are welcomed in celebration of a life as beautiful as Marianne's. Those who wish to honor her memory with a charitable gift are invited to donate to Special Olympics or Catholic Charities USA, reflecting her deep faith and lifelong dedication to children with special needs.

Visitation and an evening of remembrance will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Lighthouse Memorials and Receptions, 5310 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503. The Rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m., followed by an open time of shared stories and remembrance. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Saint John Fisher Catholic Church, 5448 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, followed by burial and interment at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 South Western Ave, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. A luncheon reception will follow the burial; location details will be shared at the funeral.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.