Mary Margaret Monge, 93 years old, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Aunt Mary, as she was affectionately known by all of her family members, and workers at her last earthly home, Cedarbrook Memory Care, was born on September 16, 1924 to Costanzo and Josephine Monge . She was born, raised and lived her entire life in Fresno, California. She graduated from Roosevelt High School. Our Aunt Mary worked in a factory here in Fresno during WWII to support the troops. After the war, she went to work for Zukor’s upscale Dress Store in downtown Fresno on Fulton Avenue. Many of her clients would only work with Mary in selecting and trying on beautiful clothing as she he had such an eye for fashion, always making certain she herself was impeccably dressed and her nails and hair always perfect. She spent over 32 years as a valued sales woman and employee until her retirement.
Mary never married, committing herself to her mother, siblings, and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews loving care. Many of her nieces and nephews considered Aunt Mary as their “other Mother”, as she and Noni helped to raise many of them during their early years, some living with them at times during their youth. She was a lifelong Catholic, spending over 50 years as a parishioner at Sacred Heart Church.
Some of the greatest memories were of dinner’s hosted by Noni and Aunt Mary at their home, with traditional Italian stew (quail, chicken, sausage) and polenta. It was routine that 5-7 days a week Noni and Aunt Mary would have coffee and desert either at their house or over at a family members house in the evenings. Many of us enjoyed annual vacation time with Aunt Mary at the Russian River, Santa Cruz Lake Tahoe, and Disneyland. Mary also loved working with her hands. She was an excellent gardener, loved working outdoors, but in particular, gifted in crocheting, knitting, and tailoring many of her nieces clothes. Many a Christmas, Aunt Mary’s gift to her nieces would be a crocheted afghan in complimentary colors to their home décor.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Frank Monge, Steve Monge, Costanzo Monge, Lucille Monge Marini, and Jeanne Rinaudo Giannoni, and nephews Gerald Monge and Bill Marini. She is survived by nephews Larry Monge, Allan Monge, Robert Marini, Gary Giannoni, and Loren Monge and nieces Debbi Giannoni Herr, Cheryle Giannoni and Janice Monge Stannard, and many Great and Great-Great nieces and nephews who will miss her as well.
Thank you to the entire staff at Cedarbrook Memory Care facility who took such great care of Aunt Mary this past three years, and to Optimal Hospice for their kindness and comfort care the last week of her life.
There will be no viewing. Grave site services are scheduled for Friday, May 18, 2018 at 12:00 noon at the Clovis District Cemetery at the corner of Herndon and Villa Avenues. Flowers and remembrances may be sent to Lisle Funeral Home, 1605 L St., Fresno, CA 93721.
