Elfriede “Jessie” Monaco, 73, passed after a long illness on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. She was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, and was a lifelong resident of Lyndhurst. Her friends and family knew her as “Jessie,” the stage name she created for herself. Jessie was born, raised and educated in Lyndhurst. Pursuing her true self, Jessie attended and graduated from School of Visual Arts (SVA) in Manhattan and began her career, first as a designer in the fashion industry of Manhattan, then at several media companies as a graphic artist. Jessie continued her passion and work as a freelance graphic artist, culminating in 2023, when she created, wrote and illustrated her book, Nature Draws Itself.
She was very proud of this piece, which embodied who she was as a person. Jessie embraced a spirituality of kindness, integrity and empathy to all people and all living things, especially animals. She was engaging and honest and loved making people laugh through her wonderful sense of humor. She captured people’s attention wherever she went. It’s not surprising that Jessie was very musically talented and played the drums. She was a bandmember and drummer for various rock and R&B groups that played throughout New York City and New Jersey, including, “Hot Pink,” “Upper Hand,” and “20th Century Fox,” the latter an all-female group that opened for the Weather Girls at “Sweetwater’s” in New York City.
Jessie is predeceased by her parents, Frank & Elfriede Monaco. She is survived by her brother, Frank Monaco, and her friend, Laura Giardina.
A visitation was held at the Nazare Memorial Home Inc., 403 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, followed by a celebration of life. She is buried at Hillside Cemetery, Lyndhurst.
