Jean Monka

Jean C. Monka, 86, Dallas, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023 at The Meadows Nursing Center, Dallas. Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Stephen and Cecelia Pavlik Monka and was a graduate of Westmoreland high School, class of 1954 were she active in many school activities including head majorette, varsity basketball, class officer and school play. She was also a graduate of The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Marymount College, Manhattan, New York with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Public Health from Columbia University, NYC.

Jean’s distinguished career spanned working in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and New York City. She traveled the world as a nurse aboard “The President Cleveland” and “President Wilson” cruise liners for American President lines traveling to Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, and Manila from Las Angeles and San Francisco.

She moved to New York City and worked for Moor-McCormack lines on the “SS Argentina” and “SS Brasil” traveling to the Caribbean Islands, Europe, Africa, Scandinavia, Russia, and Poland. She also worked on the “United States” traveling to Europe and England.

In 1976 she became involved in the new specialty, Infection Control. She attended the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia and took courses in Hospital Epidemiology and Environment for this specialty. During her work in this specialty, she presented oral and poster presentations at conferences. Her experience also included long term care and long term care facilities dealing with AIDS/ Chemical dependency until her retirement in 2013.

She was a member of the National APIC organization (Association of Practitioner’s in Infection Control) and a member of Greater New York Chapter in Infection Control. She was a past member of the NY State Department of Health Infection Control Advisory Committee and a past member of the American Public Health Association.

Jean was precede in death by brothers, John and Steve. And a nephew, John, Jr. Surviving are her sister, Celia Ann Brace and her husband Alan (Dick), Dallas. Her companion, Jim Phillips and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass will be held, Friday, March 3, 3023 at 10:00 AM from Gate of Heaven Church, Machell Ave., Dallas. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery Dallas. Arrangements are under the direction of The Richard H. Disque Funeral Home, Inc. 2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas, 18612. Online condolences may be sent to Disquefuneralhome.com