Jonel Kay Lamonica was born on October 23, 1952 in Burbank, California at St. Joseph’s Hospital to Nelda and Joe LaMonica. She grew up in Woodland Hills with an older brother George and younger brother Phil. As a young girl, “Joni” spent days after school participating in ice skating and Campfire Girls. Outside of that, she spent most of her free time hanging out with her closest girlfriends Dianna and Valerie. She started working at the age of sixteen, and shortly after, was hired by Glendale Federal Savings & Loans. She remained in the banking and credit union business until she retired in 2007 as CEO of Musicians Interguild Credit Union.

In 1972, at the age of 21, she met Jim Kuehn, and eloped after two months of dating. They had a traditional church ceremony shortly after returning home. This resulted in the gift of her two children, Tara and Travis. Her second marriage was to Ernie Myatt in 1989, whom she met while working at Litton FCU. This union blessed Joni with her three children through marriage, Repley, Darna and Drasan. Through the years, she was blessed with ten grandchildren, Chase, Reann, Kelsha, Krey, Kayla, Jadyn, Mackenzie, Bailey, Ashley and Emily, who she spoiled and loved tremendously.

Joni’s time in retirement was spent travelling and enjoying her friends and family, using her creativity to craft gifts, plan parties, sew and many other fun hobbies. Joni was a passionate and loving woman who adored her family. She died on January 16, 2022.

Mackenzie Perez’s Tribute to Nani






"TIL WE MEET AGAIN'

Stomach twisted in knots, "collapsed lung," "fatal."
Shaking hands, waiting for a call.

"My Cousin Vinny" on the television. A Sign?
Eagles, "Take It Easy," 4:00 on the dot. A Sign?
Eagles, "Take It Easy," at the restaurant.  A Sign?
Complimentary dessert, bread pudding......your favorite. A Sign?

God, please give me a little more time.

Vitals up, updates, more phone calls. Stay. Stay.

"Irreparable damage." They say we get "10 days." Stay, it's not enough.

9:10PM. Time. Is. Up.

I hoped and prayed, I begged, I pleaded. God heard every cry, every selfish and human desire to fight His will. I just wanted a little more time. I wanted to hold your hand, dance with you, laugh with you, love you for just a little longer.

Now comes the devastating weight of all my hope crashing down, the pain of missing another piece of my heart. I will see you when He calls me home. We will hug and kiss and laugh once again. I know you have found your peace and rest in His kingdom, but this world will be dimmer without you in it.

I love you.

Mackenzie Perez












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