Heaven just gained another beautiful angel. On Saturday, December 14, 2019, Monica Michelle Tugwell-Umair passed away surrounded by her loving family. Monica was born August 24, 1972 in Hampton, Virginia to Richard and Donna Tugwell. She was raised in Hampton and a proud 1990 graduate of Phoebus High school. After high school, Monica found a career at Food Lion, where she worked for many years. In recent years, Monica and her husband were the founders of several stores in the Richmond area where she resided. One of her proudest accomplishments was when she opened Tugwell’s Market in Richmond.
Monica never met a person who she did not openly accept into her life. You could say that she never met a stranger. She never judged anyone and opened her heart and home to everyone she met. She loved life and would selflessly give her last dollar away to help anyone. Monica loved being a mother to her two children, Joe and Sarah, and wife to her husband Ali.
Monica was preceded in death by her father, Richard “Ricky” Tugwell Sr, and her sister, Stacy Tugwell.
Left behind to cherish her memory are her husband Ali Umair; children Joseph Estes and Sarah Estes (MacKenzie); mother Donna Campbell; stepmother Rhonda Tugwell; siblings Wayne Tugwell (Amie), Katie Perham (Amy), Bill Tugwell (Taylor), Traci Matanane (Mark), and Tina Gillepsie; and one beautiful grandchild, Riley. Monica also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly. She also had many friends in her life including her very special friends- Jen, Jason, and Susan. Monica took pride in being involved in all of her friends' and relatives' activities and was always there for her family.
The family would like to thank the nursing staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their love and support for Monica and the family during the past week.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 21, 2019 with interment immediately following at Parklawn Memorial Park. There will be a celebration of life following interment at Next Level Church 3105 Hampton Hwy, Yorktown, VA 23693.
Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and offer words of condolence with the family.
