San Diego- Antoinette “Toni” Monise passed away peacefully on November 4, 2022. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, Grandmother, family matriarch and friend. Her smile, generosity and gentle spirit will be greatly missed.
Born November 24, 1935 to Giuseppe and Giuseppina Giacalone in San Diego, California. She was the youngest of five and took her responsibility as the baby of the family very seriously.
After finishing high school at San Diego High, she was employed by SDG&E. She joined the parade of beautiful women who the eligible bachelors of San Diego lined up to view as they exited from work. It was there that she first caught the eye of Matthew Monise.
Toni and Matt married in 1960 and had two children, Matthew and Tracy. Matt and Toni had many precious memories with family and friends over the years.They loved their many trips with dear friends, their annual New Year’s Eve extravaganza and the many trips to Catalina while they shared the water taxi business.
She loved her time on the boat, whether it was the Parade of Lights at Christmas time, Glorietta Bay on the 4th of July or just a bay cruise. And, whether it was her husband, son, or grandson Nico, as soon as the boat left the dock she could be found in her “co captain” spot, right next to them on the bridge.
In the 90’s Toni welcomed three grandchildren, Nico, John Russell, and Danielle and her role from baby of the family to adoring grandma was a seamless transition. She could be found at multiple sports, band, school functions ready to cheer them on. Her pride in her grandchildren was impossible to disguise. And, Tuesday night dinners started after the passing of her husband in 1996 continued up until November 1, 2022.
Toni’s most incredible strength was overcoming immense sadness in order to care for a loved one when sick. Both her husband and her son received exceptional care and support as they faced their unfortunate cancer diagnoses.
Toni loved the Opera, attending with her sisters, nieces, daughter and granddaughter, having been an active season ticket holder dating back to the 1960’s. She enjoyed volunteering with the Point Loma Opera Guild during its time.
She taught religious education at St Agnes Catholic church for 36 years and only retired when grandchildren of her original students began showing up to her class, giving countless hours of her time to her community and her faith.
To compliment her love of arts and culture, she spent decades bowling with the women’s bowling league on Wednesdays with many hilarious stories of the goings on at the bowling alley. The bowling league transferred to multiple locations as each location met its eventual demise.
Toni was a sassy and witty woman, all the way to the end, even making her caretakers and hospice nurses giggle with her snarky comments.
Toni is survived by her daughter Tracy, Son in Law Russell, her three grandchildren, oldest sister Katherine Greco, sister-in-law Carmella Giacalone, many nieces, nephews and Godchildren. Toni loved and cared about everyone in her family.
Her class and her spirit will be sorely missed.
Funeral Mass will be Friday, November 18, 2022, 10:00 am at St. Agnes Catholic church located at 1140 Evergreen St. San Diego, CA 92106. A Rosary will proceed the Funeral Mass at 9:30 am.
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