Arina Monica Talpesh

Arina Monica Talpesh was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and passionate follower of Christ.

She was raised in a Christian home and chose to be baptized around age 17, a commitment that shaped her life. Monica was very involved in her church, Dragostea (Parneava) in Arad, Romania where she learned from her grandmother about generosity and helping people in need. Her most recent church affiliation was Golgotha Romanian Baptist Church, a congregation she cherished deeply. Even after relocating to Arizona, she faithfully followed its services online and continued to consider it her spiritual home.

Monica lost her mother at the young age of 15, an experience that taught her resilience and the value of hard work. She loved to study and devoted her life to researching and learning about health and wellness. She chose to pursue a medical career after seeing her mother suffer and pass away from cancer at the young age of 36.

In 1985, she immigrated to the United States and worked tirelessly to obtain accreditation for her medical degree. She went on to practice anesthesiology with dedication and compassion for 32 years at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. Monica was known amongst her peers for her incredible skill and precision. During her career dedicated to helping others, she participated in research with multiple published papers and spent time teaching as an associate professor. Shortly after her retirement in December 2025, she moved to Arizona to enjoy its warm climate and begin a new chapter.

Monica was known for her generosity and quietly supported numerous missionary organizations throughout her life. Having lost her mom at a young age, a cause that was especially dear to her heart was supporting orphans and widows.

Those who knew Monica will remember her love for orchids and the beautiful Florida ocean, her passion for wellness and the human body, and how she loved a good laugh at the Sunday lunch table with friends and family. Monica would often say that her daughter Danielle was the most precious thing that happened in her life. She was 45 when she gave birth to Danielle after praying diligently to become a mother. Even with her demanding career as an anesthesiologist, Monica made time for her daughter. Their favorite memories came from their vacations in Florida and trying new food at restaurants across the States. From Monica’s own words, the greatest blessing of them all was seeing her daughter get baptized and dedicate her life to Jesus, marry a man like David, and have a beautiful baby girl Priscilla.

Through life’s many hardships, Monica learned to depend on God, who came through for her in miraculous ways. God, the protector of orphans, faithfully cared for her throughout her life. Even as her life reached its final chapter in a city far from home, God allowed for her to go into eternity surrounded by her close family.

She is survived by her daughter Danielle Mircea, son-in-law David Mircea, and granddaughter Priscilla Mircea.

Monica is also survived by her sister Mihaela Mitrofan, brother-in-law Marius Mitrofan, nieces Anna Oprinca (Nathan Oprinca) and Miriam Mitrofan, aunt and uncle Nora and Beni Faragau, first cousins Ben Faragau (Julie Faragau), Andrea Darlea (Puiu Darlea), Ghita Ponta (Eugenia Ponta) and Lidia Sulea (Petrica Sulea).

Monica was preceded in death by her father and mother Vasile and Cornelia Serban, paternal grandfather and grandmother Gheorghe and Alexandra Serban, and maternal grandfather and grandmother Gheorghe and Iuliana Ponta.

Services:

Friday, July 24

5:00pm-7:00pm visitation

7:00pm-8:30pm wake service

Saturday, July 25

9:30am-10:00am visitation

10:00am-11:00am funeral service

11:45 interment at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery, 621 W Long Lake Rd., Troy, MI 48098