Monica Marlo Acuña, age 46, passed on April 22, 2021, in Burbank, California at Providence Saint Joseph Hospital from amyloidosis, a rare blood disease that she was diagnosed with a few weeks prior but likely went undetected for years. Better known as Mon and Moni to friends and family, Moni was born in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 6, 1974 at Sunrise Hospital. She is survived by parents Yolanda and Jesus, younger siblings Andrew, Alex and Jessi, and nephews Aiden and Ethan. Moni is a graduate of Bonanza High School ('92) and UNLV ('97), where she earned a BA in Communications and laid the foundation for her family to follow suit as the first college graduate. Although from Las Vegas, she spent nearly 20 years in Los Angeles, where she dedicated herself as a producer in the television industry. Credits included: "The Kelly Clarkson Show," "Pickler & Ben," "Best Damn Sports Show Period," "Home & Family" for which she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy, "Miss Universe," "The Doctors" and jobs for "Entertainment Tonight." On-location work took her to places such as Thailand, Alaska, Austin, and Joplin, Missouri. Prior to returning to L.A. in 2019, she also spent time living and working in Nashville. Moni was a gifted writer. Whether writing for shows and magazines or sending a caring message on a card, she had a way with words. She wore her heart on her sleeve. And she was blessed with the gift of gab. If she was feeling something, you knew it. In addition to her passion for Hollywood, pop culture and politics, she loved the Dodgers, Golden Knights and the Rams. During baseball season, you could find her in her well-worn blue Dodgers cap, which she considered good luck for the Boys in Blue. Her fierce loyalty to her sports teams pales in comparison to the loyalty she proclaimed to her friends and family. Moni committed herself to keeping in touch with people and showing her support. She demonstrated the same level of care for Mother Nature this included capturing photographs outdoors and being a recycling aficionado. Moni lived passionately, from traveling and enjoying good wine to marching for women's rights and zipping around town in her FJ Cruiser. Her loud laughs, animated mannerisms and big spirit will continue on in those she impacted. A mass is set for Friday, June 4 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at noon immediately followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at Red Rock Casino. The family will host a private burial on Sunday, June 6 on what would have been her 47th birthday, at Palm Mortuary Downtown in the Garden of Dreams. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to her tribute page for the Amyloidosis Research Consortium https://donate.arci.org/MemoriesofMoni , the Amyloidosis Support Group (www.AmyloidosisSupport.org) or voter rights advocacy group Fair Fight (www.FairFight.com).

Published by Las Vegas Review-Journal on Jun. 4, 2021.