Denise Monegato/Schwarck

Denise Marie Monegato Schwarck, 64, passed away on June 11, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on July 7, 1961, to Gene and Maryann Monegato, Denise was a force of nature from the very beginning. 
Curious, loving, intelligent, funny, and fiercely independent, she filled every room she entered with laughter, stories, and a voice that always let you know that she had arrived

A lifelong lover of books, learning, and teaching, Denise dedicated her life to librarianship. 
She believed deeply in the power of knowledge and the magic that lied in between covers. 
She spent her life helping others discover new worlds and finding themselves through reading.

Outside the library, Denise was impossible to fit into a single category. 
She was a punk rocker at heart and had a lifelong love of music, individuality, and self-expression. 
She was spiritual, intuitive, and endlessly curious about the mysteries of the universe. 
Whether discussing esotericism, occult sciences, books, music, or life itself, Denise had a gift for making people feel seen and understood. 
She was often a guide to others, encouraging them to trust themselves, keep learning, and stay open to wonder and a good laugh.

Ten years ago, Denise endured one of the greatest heartbreaks of her life when her daughter, Angelina, passed away. 
Though that loss never left her, she carried Angie in her heart every day. 
It brings comfort to those who loved her to imagine that Angelina was there waiting for her, helping guide her home, and that mother and daughter are together once again.

Above all else, Denise loved her family.
She is survived by her daughter, Francesca Peters; 
her parents Gene and Maryann Monegato; 
her sisters, Karen Monegato and Gina Monegato; 
her husband, Paul Schwarck; 
her stepchildren, Heather Soto, Jennifer Rogers, and Michael Schwarck; 
her grandchildren, Gwendolyn, Donovan, Danielle and Murphy; 
and many extended family members, friends, former colleagues, and loved ones whose lives were forever touched by her presence.

Denise leaves behind a legacy of intelligence, laughter, resilience, spirituality, and love. 
She was a punkster, a storyteller, a seeker, a teacher, and a light that could never truly be extinguished.

Though our hearts are broken, we know that somewhere beyond what we can see, Denise is surrounded by books, music, angels, glitter, and the people she has missed most.

She will be deeply loved, deeply missed, and remembered always.