February 3, 1973-May 25, 2023
Monica was born on February 3, 1973 in Fresno, California to Bill and Elizabeth “Betsy”
Lucido. She passed away peacefully on May 25, 2023 in Aptos, California after a very
courageous battle with a rare form of cancer.
She was the youngest of four sisters in her family, and attended Saint Anthony’s Catholic School
and San Joaquin Memorial High School. Monica furthered her Catholic education at St. Mary’s
College in Moraga, California, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies.
From the time she was in the first grade, Monica knew that she wanted to be a teacher. Her love
of children was obvious to everyone who knew her. She spent 27 years as a teacher, primarily in
T-K and kindergarten classes. Mrs. Baker was a blessing to every child who was fortunate
enough to be in her classroom. She got such joy from her students, and she showered them with
love and affection.
In 2011, Toys for Tots notified Fresno Unified that they were unable to do their annual toy drive
at Martin Luther King Elementary School, where Monica was teaching. Even though it was only
days before Christmas vacation, Monica rallied many people in the community, and got over 500
toys donated, so that every student at her school got a present before they went on break.
This toy drive continued on for many years and included an annual visit from Santa, complete
with candy canes for each child. Thousands of toys were collected and distributed over the years
because of Monica’s love for her students and her strong Christian faith.
Monica was truly an angel on Earth. She loved nothing more than serving God, her family, her
students and her community. She enjoyed cooking, attending church with her family, hosting
family gatherings, and traveling with her family.
Monica passed away in Aptos, California with her loving husband, David, by her side. David
was fulfilling her wish to “see the ocean one more time,” before she entered into her eternal life
in Heaven.
Monica was predeceased in death by her beloved mother, Betsy, and father-in-law, Bill Baker.
Monica is survived by her husband, David and children Max, Grace and Corbin; her father Bill
Lucido; her sister Maribeth Eggleston and her husband, Kevin, and nephews Maxwell, Henry
and Logan; sister Anne Lucido; sister Katie Lowell and her husband Rick, and nieces Paige,
Lindsey and Maggie; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and life-long friends whom she
considered family.
A recitation of the Rosary will be held on Monday, June 5, 2023, at 7 pm. A Mass of Christian
Burial will take place on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 10 am. Both services will take place at St.
Paul Newman Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Monica’s name to :
St. Paul Catholic Newman Center 1572 East Barstow Avenue, Fresno, California, 93710.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Baker family.
