Monika Mueller Galluccio

Monika Pia Müller Galluccio was born in Altach, Austria in the kitchen of the house she grew up in, on October 20, 1958 to Gustav and Irma Müller. Monika was the third of four children. She had one brother, Klaus, the oldest, and two sisters, Margot and Ingrid. She is survived by her husband Fred Galluccio, her two children, Christina and Sophia, her mother and her siblings.

Monika grew up in a small village located in the Voralberg section of Austria, surrounded by mountains and a surplus of beautiful fauna which helped cultivate her love of nature. Play-pretending to be a teacher, making crafts, leading Girl Scouts, and eating cake made by her mother on Sunday were favorites of hers growing up.

She started her college years in Innsbruck, and graduated from University of Salzburg with a Magister (MA) of theology and teaching. She additionally co-founded the peace office in Salzburg and worked for many years in peace education and peace works such as protesting militarism and nuclear weapons. She taught full time theology at a public high school. Later, she was protesting in Germany to stop the movement of nuclear weapons, where she was arrested and went to jail for a week, but ended up taking the case to the supreme court and winning where as a result Germany changed their constitution.

On August 1992, she participated in the memorial-protest of Hiroshima and Nagasaki organized by the Nevada Desert Experience. It was faith-based community created for peace and justice, to stand further against nuclear weapons. This is where she met Fred, who on July 23, 1994, became her husband.

She moved to the USA to live with Fred in Huntington Beach and gave birth to Christina Frances in 1995, and Sophia Rosa in 1997. In 2008 she and her family moved to Newport Beach as the location reminded her of Austria. Monika loved being Austrian and had a lot of pride and passion for her country. She shared this passion through the practice of her Austrian culture: coffee and fresh bakery, singing Austrian music, traditions such as putting clementine’s and chocolate in a shoe left by the door in celebration of St. Nicholas day, and teaching her daughters German.

Monika was invested in many ministries of the church. Liturgy, liturgical planning, and Eucharistic ministry are a few of the examples. She brought in programs including one for the homeless, educational projects, and more. She was also very involved in the Catholic Worker ministry.

She loved to dance, if there was music, a lone violinist, guitarist, or a whole band, she would dance to her hearts content, even if she was the only one dancing. Monika also had a passion for song, she could often be found singing Austrian folk songs, peace songs, and strumming a guitar. She loved to travel, and hike with family and friends. She continued to protest for peace and social justice throughout the rest of her life.

The final sunset had set on her life. Her goodness and passion for social justice will live on with us. We will miss you Monika, and continue to love you - enjoy singing with the angels.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401