Ariella Monti-Graziadei

Ariella Giuseppina Maria Monti-Graziadei, a renowned research scientist who investigated neurogenesis and neuron regeneration, small business owner, teacher of Italian cooking, and beloved mother and grandmother, died on 8 June 2026 in Tallahassee, FL.

Ariella was born in Genoa, Italy on September 3, 1935, the daughter of Rosa Gollo and Mario Monti, who was a chef on transatlantic oceanliners. She was encouraged to pursue higher education by her family, and began medical studies at the University of Genoa, where she met her future husband, Pasquale Graziadei. They had two daughters while living in Italy, and in 1962, moved to London, England when Pasquale was offered a visiting research position at University College, London. In 1966, with a third child on the way, they moved to Tallahassee, FL when Pasquale was offered a position as Assistant Professor of Biology at the Florida State University. In 1968, they had a fourth child.

In the 1970‘s, Ariella resumed studies at FSU, earning a BS in Biology, and later a PhD in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience. During and after her studies, she was a full contributor to Pasquale’s research in the area of olfactory neuron regeneration, which became classic and groundbreaking works in their field. Her final position at FSU was as a Research Scholar Scientist.

After leaving the university, in 1995, Ariella opened a cooking school, A Taste of Italy, out of her home. Her students included then-governor of Florida, Lawton Chiles. From 2002 to 2012, she owned and ran an Italian market and deli, La Lanterna, with her daughter, Joanna.

She was a founding member of the Tallahassee Italian-American Club in 1991, serving as its president for 3 non-consecutive years.

She lived a long and meaningful life marked by strength, determination, and resilience. A woman of many interests, she found joy in many things- whether cooking meals that brought people together, losing herself in a good book, singing, dancing or embracing opportunities to keep learning and growing. She approached life with a willingness to do, to try, and to achieve the most of herself. Her legacy is one of perseverence, curiosity, and quiet vulnerability, leaving behind cherished memories in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her daughter, Rosanna (John) Schons, and grandson, Michael Schons (Ashley Threadingham), all of Charlotte, NC; daughter Joanna (Andrew) Shoenberger, and grandson Kirk Fechter, all of Tallahassee, FL; son Richard Graziadei (Delia Zarate), of Cornelius, NC; and daughter Helen Graziadei (David Jenkins) of Forsyth, GA.