Obituary of Laura Monaco-Reed

Laura Monaco-Reed of Wanaque, NJ passed away on June 17, 2015 at the age of 65. Laura was born on September 16, 1949 and grew up in Little Neck, NY. She graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. Laura dedicated many years of her life to working in non-profit organizations. In addition to employment with the American Red Cross and Christian Health Care Center, she was also a Peace Corp volunteer in Africa for 3 years after her college graduation, where she taught English as a second language to French speaking students in the country of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey. Laura was fluent in both Spanish and French. Laura loved music and musical theater. Having taken piano lessons from a very young age she loved to play classical music and Broadway showstoppers. Her favorite Broadway show was Jersey Boys which she saw a number of times in venues from New York City to Las Vegas. Laura leaves behind her beloved husband of 15 years Vernon Reed and a stepson Michael. She is survived by her mother Lee Monaco of Hanover, NH, brother John Monaco of Las Vegas, NV, sister Elizabeth Woodbury and her husband Wayne of Charlestown, NH, sister Janet Layne and her husband David of Levittown, NY, sister Antonia Monaco of Buffalo, NY and sister Jennifer Maglietta and her husband Anthony of Old Bridge, NJ. Laura will also be truly missed by her loving Godson Anthony Maglietta, Jr., as well as by many nieces and nephews, who will always remember her as the "fun" aunt. She will also be missed by a host of in-laws, friends, and co-workers. Laura is predeceased by her father Frank Monaco, sister Barbara Schimke and brother Thomas Monaco. Her family will receive relatives and friends at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 27th at the funeral home.A Memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Laura's memory to any of the following: Creutzfeldt Jakob Foundation at www.cjdfoundation.org or CJD Foundation, 341 W. 38th Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10018; Passaic Valley Hospice, 783 Riverview Dr., PO Box 1007, Totowa, NJ 07511-1007; Peace Corp at www.peacecorp.gov/donate and contribute to Education Fund American National Red Cross at www.redcross.org or American Red Cross, PO Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018; Christian Health Care Center at www.christianhealthcare.org or Christian Health Care Center Foundation, 301 Sicomac Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.