Monica passed away last night on October 17, 2010, in Riverdale, New York. She'd been ill for two years with cancer. Her brother Randy held her hand as she took her last breath.

She was an Accolade reporter and editor at Sunny Hills High School, and also enjoyed Modern Dance. She was known as the most fashionable girl on campus, where she wore designer clothes. She was a brilliant, creative person of flashing wit and great warmth. Monica cared about everyone and always sided with the underdog, to whom she showed great generosity.

In 1968 she went to live in New York City, which soon became her permanent home. Briefly she was an actress and a model, and also worked as the assistant to several notable photographers. For a while she worked in sales at Bergdorf-Goodman and other fine stores, and owned a Manhattan restaurant, too.

She eventually settled in Greenwich Village, probably her favorite part of the city she seemed to know everything about. You could ask her about an obscure Hungarian restaurant up near Columbia, or an address in Yorkville, and she'd tell you all about each one. Monica knew more about movies and Broadway shows than anyone I've ever known, and remembered the names of all the cast members. She had an endearing habit of watching her favorite movies or actors for what seemed the fiftieth time, and would laugh or cry as if it were the first.

Animals were especially dear to Monica's heart, almost all animals. In particular she loved elephants, and it's no coincidence her brother Patrick is an elephant specialist who's worked for many top zoos in the United States. As a little girl Monica was a horse girl -- I guess you'd say -- and even took part in rodeo. Her most beloved animal friend of all, however, was Gable, the French bulldog she owned for the last six or seven years or her life. She'd walk him joyously as often as six times a day in her West Greenwich Village neighborhood, and inspired actor Leonard DeCaprio to get his own "Frenchie".

Monica had a keen interest in current events and political issues, as a true New Yorker. She often took part in neighborhood or borough-wide campaigns and issues, and did not hesitate to write letters to the editor of the local newspapers. In recent years, she owned a mail order printing company.

Of course, Monica was a quiet, rather reserved woman, and a delightful friend. She had a dozen or so treasured friends around the city, and was close to her siblings. Her parents passed away some years back, and she leaves an older sister and three younger brothers, as well as quite a few nieces and nephews.

For years now, Monica has kept in touch with several of her 1960s Accolade friends, including Candy Moore and Adria-Ann McMurray, both '66 and also with Perry Morgan, '66 of New Orleans.

Through her life, Monica touched hundreds of people with her kindness and compassion, and remained a most lovable friend. I've lost one of the great friends of my life.

I'll add information later having to do with a possible memorial service and my dear friend's last wishes. She would not want us to be sad.

(By the way, there is a Monica Maluy on Facebook, but that's not our Monica.]