Monica Antonie

Monica Claire Antonie of Winston Salem, North Carolina passed away peacefully on March 2nd, 2025. Monica was born in 1954 to Thomas and Theresa (Sheehan) Weigel and spent her childhood in East Northport, New York, where she developed her lifelong affinity for the beach. She spent most of her adult life in New York City and later in Chester, NY before moving to North Carolina.

Monica was a dedicated Museum of Modern Art employee for 38 years, holding various positions, retiring as an esteemed IT Procurement Manager. In addition to her work at MoMA, Monica shared her passion for poets and poetry throughout her life. In the mid-1970s, she began photographing poets, painters, and performers who were part of the vibrant arts movement in New York City. She documented poetry readings, new wave performances, and works by artists in Andy Warhol’s sphere of influence. Many of her photographs from this time were published in Harris Schiff’s poetry book, One More Beat. In 1980 she started Accent Editions, where she served as an editor and publisher to poets including her brother Tom Weigel, Harris Schiff, Annabel Lee, Joel Lewis and Pete Spence.

Inspired by her interest in different cultures and cuisines, Monica traveled to many places around the world with both friends and family throughout her lifetime. She avidly documented those travels, relished the food and cherished her time with those she loved through many wonderful journeys. She especially loved visiting Ireland. Monica was proud of her Irish roots and often cooked traditional dishes like Colcannon in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, which was also her mother’s birthday.

Monica was fun and full of wonder, and her creative, warm spirit gathered friends wherever she went. She was deeply supportive, always loyal, and never hesitated to shower loved ones with affection. In this way, she dedicated much of her life to family and friends. Monica was an immensely talented and passionate chef, who expressed her love through cooking and baking. She never walked through the door empty handed and whatever Monica had cooked for you that day was the best you had ever tasted. Monica always sought the warm company of a good meal with friends and family. Her Thanksgiving meals were most memorable and beloved.

In 2022, Monica and her husband, James moved to Winston Salem, North Carolina to be closer to family. It was during these final years that Monica shone as the doting and loving GranMoni. As a grandmother, she brought magic and an endless sense of play. She was adored by her grandchildren and their cousins, and her absence will be forever missed.

Monica is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Kenneth and poet Tom Weigel.

Monica is survived by her husband and soulmate, artist James Antonie, for whom she served as a source of endless inspiration throughout their 33 years of marriage, as well as her adoring stepson Nikolai Antonie and his wife Courtney Kotsionis, two grandchildren; Aviva and Rhodes, her sisterly cousins Kathy Mazzo and Mary Susan Shaffer, cousin Kevin Doherty and his wife Caroline, nieces and nephews (cousins once removed) Colleen Mazzo Bopp (goddaughter) and her husband Richard Bopp, Liam Mazzo, Megan Mazzo Martinez and her husband Manny Martinez, Gianni Martinez, and a host of other beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Beyond her family, Monica has connected together a group of cherished friends who will forever honor her memory and treasure the gifts she so generously gave in her remarkable life.

A service and celebration of life for Monica will be held on Saturday, March 15th, 2025 at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home, located at 406 E Main St Riverhead, NY 11901. An hour long visitation will be held at 10:00 AM, followed by a service at 11:00 AM. Burial will then proceed at St. John the Evangelist Church Cemetery located at 546 St. John's Place, Riverhead, NY 11901. She will rest in the family plot alongside her parents and brother Kenneth.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Ln, Winston-Salem, NC, 27103. https://www.trellissupport.org/