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Monique "Mo" Hill Marwani

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | January 28, 2023

Monique “Mo” Hill Marwani, age 48, of Hagerstown, MD, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 20, 2022. Born February 9, 1974, in McKeesport, she was the daughter of a devoted father, Russell Walton Hill of Hagerstown, MD, and a loving mother, Cathryn A. (Keith H.) Buchanan Stevenson of McKeesport.

Mo was a model, fashion designer, and bridal consultant, amongst many other things, throughout her remarkable life. She brought beauty and grace to this world and shared that with everyone she knew. Her career started as early as pre-school at Grady Day School of Squirrel Hill, where she was picked to do a commercial for PNC Bank at four years old. She then attended Mineda Elementary School for kindergarten through 6 grade. During that time, she participated in music, went to ballet and tap dance school, and was also a Brownie in Buena Vista, PA. She then moved on to Elizabeth Forward High School, where she participated in music, volleyball, and track and field.

During her Junior year, she was a candidate for Black Ms. Teenage Pageant and placed in the top 15. She was also active in the Ms. Uniontown Pageant and won 1st place for Ms. Sportswear and took the crown for Ms. Uniontown.
Mo then received a modeling contract with American Eagle Magazine. During the summer of her Junior year, she was invited to the Welcome Home parade for the famous Football Hall of Fame Joe Montana, the quarterback for the San Francisco 49 er's and Kansas City Chiefs. In her senior year, she was also a Black Ms. Teenage Pageant contestant and placed runner-up! She Graduated Class of 1992 from Elizabeth Forward High School.

After high school, she was called back to be a Preliminary-Judge for the Black Ms. Teenage Pageant. Mo then moved to Harrisburg and worked for the State Department, where she worked for PHEAA Education Assistance Agency. She also attended the Philadelphia College of Textile and Science for Fashion and Design, where she participated in cheerleading, soccer, and choir. Mo also modeled for Marriot Bridal shows and participated in Swimsuit Magazine. After designing school, she worked at Bettina's Clothing Shop in Bethesda, MD, for experience and became an entrepreneur in woman's fashion and opened her own shop, "Your Private Closet."

Mo was diagnosed with cancer in 2005. After becoming cancer free, she traveled to Colorado and Utah with other cancer survivors to share her story and inspire others. They formed an association Critter Animals, for special need cancer patients and modeled in all fashion shows with the Critters. She also was on a calendar to raise money for cancer patients, and she was voted Miss January.

During the New York Fashion Show Week, she traveled to model every year. Mo was also a stylist, consulted and designed in making jewelry, and did cosmetology and makeup.

She was continually modeling and traveling to South America, Paris, France, London, England, and Israel. Mo was also very proud of her commercial and modeling sessions for cancer survivors with GoDaddy.com.

As you can see, Monique was very successful, blessed with God, luxury, and so much love!

The only thing on her list that she could not complete was her journal, as she was abruptly taken far too soon for her completion.

She will be greatly missed and will never be forgotten by those she leaves behind to honor her spirit.

Mo is survived by her brother, Chad E. Buchanan of McKeesport; devoted aunt and Godmother, Lillie U. Baskerville of Hagerstown, MD, Lorraine Stone of West Elizabeth, and Carolyn Lewis of Gary, IN; uncles, Charles A. Hill, William T. Hill of Duarte, CA, Ollie T. Hill of West Newton, and Joseph G. Randall of Savannah, GA; nephews, Elijah Filsaime of Irwin and Miles E. Buchanan of Titusville, Pa; niece, Gabrielle Buchanan of Titusville, PA; also many cousins, extended family, and friends.

She was also preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Alfred (Lilly) Hill, formerly of West Newton; maternal grandparents, Washington (Margaret) Glascoe, formerly of West Elizabeth; aunt, Mary Lou Hill; cousins, Lorraina Stone Ransome and Tonya Hill.

Family and friends will be received at Willig Funeral Home & Crematory on Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m., in the funeral home chapel. Inurnment will be in West Newton Cemetery at a later date.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.willigfuneralcremationservices.com.
Chuck Danforth, Supervisor

Originally published January 28, 2023.

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