Donations in memory of Araceli Monzon Velasco

Araceli Monzon Velasco recently passed away after a long struggle with cancer at the age of 61. She is survived by her children Jose, Joel and Stepahine and her 5 grandchildren. As an immigrant from Mexico, she came to the United States at 10 years old and attended John Marshall Elementary School, Brookhurst Jr. High and graduated from Savanna High School.

She spent most of her life living in the cities of Placentia, Anaheim, and Buena Park and worked primarily in private medical and dental offices. She ended her career as a home hospice care worker, not knowing that she would soon need that care herself. She always had a big heart for helping others, even when she didn’t have much herself. She was a devout Christian. "Hay que ayudar a la gente" is something she would often say.

In her honor of giving and helping others, all donations will support Gilbert High School's Rising Sunshine Pathway, for teen parents and expecting mothers who are earning their high school diploma and a memorial scholarship that will be given to a student at Gilbert High School at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

Thank you for your love and support. The picture above is of her at her birthday celebration last year when she recently found out her cancer had returned. Despite tragedy, she was always happy, optimistic and more concerned about others than herself. Anyone who knew Araceli "Sally", my mother, would tell you that she believed that giving of yourself to others is the highest expression of love.

With gratitude,

Jose Monzon Lara and Familia