Monica Gabriela (Piky) Barrios passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026 following a very brave struggle with ovarian cancer. She was born on July 19, 1962 in Punta Del Este, Uruguay.

She studied at the Universidad Argentina De La Empresa in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved to the USA in 1990 where she became an American Citizen.

Monica had a long, successful career in the Motion Pictures Industry. She worked as a camera assistant filming many award-winning movies, TV series, documentaries and commercials. Monica enjoyed traveling to many US states for filming.

She enjoyed sharing stories of the many movie stars that she encountered. Her favorite social media posts were often subtitled “My Office Today” as she included photos of the stars, the beautiful scenery for that day’s shooting or the bizarre environment and locations that the current movie project entailed.

Monica retired recently and loved traveling the world with her husband Eduardo, especially back home to Uruguay and to Spain where her son, Cody was studying.

Her other passions included her love for all beings; including animals and the environment. Monica was a “Giver”; she will forever be remembered as the first contact for many immigrants in the USA, giving her selfless assistance and advice for legal channels involved in navigating the complicated system. Monica contributed to the welfare of animals, adopting many, including her dear, surviving dog, “Capitan” and fought for green climate and women’s rights.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Steven Smith, her father, Angel Barrios and her sister, Fernanda “Cuky” Barrios Tiscornia. Monica is survived by her husband, Eduardo David Gayoso, son, Cody Barrios Smith, mother, Aurea Fermina (Princesa) Tiscornia Acosta, brother Pedro Barrios Tiscornia, Eduardo’s family, brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews and countless dear friends and coworkers in the film industry.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Monica’s memory to: The Humane Society of Charlotte, 1348 Parker Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208, Carolina Breast Friends, 1607 E Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28207, or The American Cancer Society, 1901 Brunswick Ave., Ste 100, Charlotte, NC 28207