Laarni Cruz Payumo Monzones, 84, of Finneytown (Cincinnati), OH, passed away on February 26, 2022, with her family and close friends by her side in prayer.
Affectionately known as “Arnie,” she was born to the late Mayor Jose Reyes Payumo, Sr. and late mother Marcela Crecini Cruz on September 18, 1937, in Dinalupihan, Bataan, Philippines. Arnie graduated from University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, in 1959 and received a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology and Pharmacy.
She married Romeo Oba Monzones, “Romy,” on January 15, 1972, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Toronto, Canada, and later that year relocated to Cincinnati, OH. Arnie and Romy celebrated their Golden Anniversary this past January with family. Arnie is survived by her loving husband, Romeo, Sr., and three children: Romeo J. Monzones, Jr., of St. Louis, MO; Mark J. Monzones and Raymond J. Monzones, of Cincinnati, OH. She is also survived by her younger brother, Felicito Cruz Payumo, of Makati (Manila), Philippines; five nephews: Joel Payumo, Joey Payumo, Joseph Payumo, Josel Payumo, and Antonio Payumo; and five nieces: Lailani Payumo, Ani Payumo, Ella Payumo, Aileen Payumo, and Alexis Payumo. Arnie was predeceased by her late stepmothers: Servanda Cubacub and Maria Esguerra; her late brother, Mayor Jose Cruz Payumo, Jr., and late nephew, Mayor Jose Alejandre Payumo, III. Arnie also leaves behind several close relatives and family friends.
Arnie worked for over thirty years in the Hematology and Blood Bank Departments at Good Samaritan Hospital. She had a passion for sharing her cooking and Filipino culture, celebrating occasions with family and friends, dancing, and playing tennis. She was a devout Catholic, and throughout her life traveled to the Philippines to commemorate the Lenten season and Easter.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022, from 9:00 – 11:30am at Hodapp Funeral Home, 6041 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45224. Funeral Mass to be held at 12:00pm, at St. Vivian Catholic Church, 7600 Winton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45224.