Monica Angela Lonigro, 55, of San Francisco, passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2026, after a courageous fight with ovarian cancer, surrounded by loving family and friends who treasured her zest for life and her gift for bringing joy and laughter to everyone she knew.

Monica was born November 8, 1970, in Versailles, France, and spent her early childhood in France and Italy before her family settled in the United States in 1978, first in Michigan, then in Indiana, where she attended Richmond High School through June 1986. She graduated from Fairmont High School, Kettering, Ohio in 1988, then earned a BA degree in History and French from The Ohio State University after studying with a student exchange program in Rennes, France, at the Université de Haute Bretagne.

She moved to San Francisco in the mid 1990s and made it her home for life. At Cisco Systems, she built a career in technology as a technical writer and documentation manager, valuing the engineers and colleagues she worked alongside and making many trips to India to support her teams.

Monica loved San Francisco fiercely, and she loved the wider world – traveling through North America, Asia and Europe, seeking out beaches and the ocean she adored, and hiking and camping across Northern California and the National Parks. A passionate cook proud of her Italian heritage, she delivered her famous "Sauce" and meatballs to friends throughout the pandemic. She loved music, art, film, poetry and dancing in fabulous costume, and had recently begun classes at San Francisco State University to pursue a master's degree in History.
A lifelong soccer player coached early on by her father, she played for years in the Golden Gate Women's Soccer League, known as a fearless brick wall on defense. She loved the game, attending World Cup matches and travelling to Australia in 2023 for the Women's World Cup.
Monica was preceded in death by her father, Aldo F. Lonigro, and her sister, Laura Diana Lonigro, maternal and paternal grandparents, aunts and uncles. Monica is survived by her mother Lena (Giannini) Lonigro of Dayton, Ohio; sisters Maria (husband Bill) Sodervick of Lansing, Michigan, and Giuliana Lonigro (husband Steve Weiss) of White Plains, New York; nephew Tim Sodervick; niece Rebecca Sodervick; aunt Phyllis (Giannini) Anderson; former spouse Michelle Alcedo; and many friends and family members across the United States and Italy.
Sincere gratitude goes to all of Monica's friends, family and caregivers who gave support and comfort during this difficult period. Special thanks to her friends Kate Graves, Kelly Lockwood, Joseph Pace, Carla Richmond and cousin Giuliana Lonigro Gursky for their endless kindness, care and love for Monica.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Monica to contribute to a memorial tribute in her name in the Golden Gate Park, in the city she loved and called home for over 30 years. Donations towards Monica's tribute may be made at https://gofund.me/858387fde  .

Services and Celebrations of Life will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Home in Richmond, from 1PM- 1:30PM.  Inurnment to follow in St Andrew's Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stegallberheideorr.com .