Mona was born in Gilroy, CA and attended schools in Morgan Hill. She leaves her mother Alicia (Alice) Marquez Gonzales (David) from Gilroy, her sister, Julia Ann (Julie) Zollin (Steve), of OR, and her brother, Manuel Avena, Jr. of Susanville. She was preceded in death by her father Manuel Avena, Sr. of Riverbank, CA. The apples of her eye were nephews; Zachary Gutierrez and Noah Zollin, and niece Carolin Zollin. She leaves many uncles, aunts, and a multitude of cousins. Mona worked 20 years for the County of Santa Clara. She will be greatly missed.
Services to celebrate her life will be on Friday 6 P.M. at Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy. Funeral Mass will be said Saturday 2 P.M. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 11 First St., Gilroy.