MONICA BELTRAN BARRETT – age 42, of Lake Forest, California, passed away peacefully November 11, 2008 following her courageous and valiant battle against cancer.

A career in public service lead Monica to the Orange County Department of Education. There she was the Program Manager for the Orange County 'Friday Night Live' Partnership youth group. Monica earned a bachelor's degree in Social Work from the California State University Long Beach. Monica loved her job and thrived on expanding the minds and opportunities of the young students enrolled in the 'FNL' program.

Monica enjoyed the outdoors. She was an avid scuba diver and shared a love of travel with her husband, Brett. Together the two of them explored all ends of the earth, with an appreciation for different places and cultures.

Although Monica endured many set backs in her short life, she never once complained and always put others before herself. She is survived by her husband, Brett, parents, John and Irene Beltran, sisters, Vivian Ortiz and Ilene Reveles Jose, nephews, Joseph and Jonathan Reveles. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Services will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, located at 1441 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, California on Monday, November 17, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Reception immediately following the service at the Vallejos/Bold home, 24151 Roma Drive, Mission Viejo, California, 949 680-2971.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that a donation be made in Monica Barrett's name to the 'Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative' A link to the donation webpage is: http://www.sarcomahelp.org/donations.htm