Daniele S Vagnini

Daniele (Danièle) Hogge Vagnini September 5, 1927 – March 23, 2026

Daniele (Danièle) Hogge Vagnini, a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and member of the Carmel community, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026, at Merrill Gardens in Monterey. She was 98.

Born on September 5, 1927, in Liège, Belgium, Daniele was raised in the French-speaking region of Wallonia. Her youth was shaped by the challenges of World War II.

In the years following the war, she met her future husband, Livio “Lee” Vagnini, during his work in Europe. The two married and began a life together in Frankfurt, Germany where they raised 3 children - Alex, Stephen and Rick before moving to Washington D.C. in 1960. After living in McLean, Virginia for 8 years they relocated to Athens, Greece in 1968 where they lived there for 5 years before eventually moving to Carmel, California where Daniele lived for the last 40 plus years of her life.

After settling in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, Daniele volunteered for many years at the SPCA for Monterey County, where she ran the SPCA Benefit Shop in Carmel.

Deeply connected to her French-speaking roots, Daniele was also an active member of the Alliance Française. She served both as President and Secretary, helping to foster an appreciation for French language and culture in the Carmel area.

She is survived by her children Alex (Leslie) Vannini of Fresno; Stephen (Cynthia) Vagnini of Monterey and Rick (Kathy) Vagnini of Atascadero; 6 grandchildren: Marcus Vannini of New Hampshire; Skylar Vagnini of Monterey; Cyrus and Maya Vannini of Fresno and step grandchildren Layla Leger of Monterey and Adessa Johnson of McKinleyville; as well as nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Daniele was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Lee Vagnini, who passed away in 2007.

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the SPCA for Monterey County.