Pittsford, NY: After courageously battling multiple myeloma for 5 years, Monica A. Smicker passed away on November 19, 2019 at the age of 71 with her family at her side. Monica was born July 19th, 1948 in Hazleton, PA to Steve and Mary (Kowalick) Simchock. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 48 years, Ronald Smicker Sr.; three sons, Ronald Jr. of Portland, OR, Matthew of Belmont, MA and David of Warminster, PA; sister, Mary T. (Simchock) Gould of Whitehall, PA; brother, Stephen P. Simchock of Etters, PA; grandchildren Phoebe, Gabriel, Eve, Arlan, Mia and Henry.
As a graduate of Allentown Hospital School of Nursing, Monica worked as a caring and compassionate Registered Nurse for 45 years, in both hospital and allergy clinic settings. In December of 2014 she retired from Allergy, Asthma, Immunology of Rochester. She was happiest when attending to her flower and vegetable gardens, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family. Monica was a member of St. John of Rochester Church. Her smile would always light up a room and her kindness will remain an example to us all.
Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (donate.lls.org) or St. John of Rochester Church (www.stjohnfairport.org/
We will miss you dearly Sis! You were always there to provide support, guidance and above all love to your “little brother” at all times. We will always remember how both you and Ron always welcomed our visits and were so accommodating even when your schedules were beyond full!!!
Ron, our prayers, thoughts and sympathy are with you and your family. We were so relieved to hear that Dad and “the boys” were with Monica when she passed and feel so blessed to have been able to visit with her before she passed. May God grant all of us peace.
All our love,
Steve and KC Simchock
Monica, my beautiful cousin. I will always cherish our visits to Hazleton, We giggled , laughed and played together. We wrote letters to each other while in nursing school and talked and laughed as we told each other stories about our nursing experiences. As adults we always kept in touch and gave each other family updates. I will miss her . Not fair that we have lost a beautiful person . She was family and a part of my life that I will always love to remember. ❤️
Monica I can’t find words to tell you how much I am going to miss you. You were the best sister in this world. Always ready to help me. Love ❤️ you so very much. I will so much miss our long phone calls and all the laughs we had on them. You took care of me from childhood to adult and never once minded. You were amazing. Always there for me and everyone and always ready to help.
Beautiful, kind, gentle, and humble, that was my sister. Ron, the boys and their families were her pride and joy. Oh those grandchildren! How she loved them.
I loved when she sent me pictures. I thank Ron so much for taking care of her and so glad Dennis, Zack and I were able to visit before she passed away.
I love you so much and there won’t be a day that goes by that I won’t think of you. When you see Mom up there give her a hug from us.
I know one thing for sure, this would be a much better place if there were more “Monicas” in it.
Love. Mamie, Dennis and Zack.
Rest In Peace Dear Sister
Monica mentored me when I started at Allergy Asthma Immunology back in 2001. We have been good friends ever since. We shared happy & sad times. She always took delight in sharing pictures of her sons & their families. I enjoyed getting to “know them”. Every spring we bought plants together, and every summer picked blueberries. In the later months she enjoyed reiki therapy sessions that I was privileged to do for her. I WILl MISS HER TERRIBLY!
Ron, Frank & I are here to help you in any way.
Ron,
I have very fond memories of my dear cousin . She was so loving and kind. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Love,
Sue Kowalick Anderson
Ron,
So sorry to hear of Monica’s passing.
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
I will always remember her smile and caring ways. Although I didn’t work directly with Monica at AAIR, I did see her often and have missed not having her there. My deepest sympathies to the entire family.
Monica and I were neighbors at a very young age. We were only 3 months apart in age. Her Mom Mary, and my Mom Josephine Hadzick were friends. We grew up in the small village of Tresckow PA in the row homes directly behind St Michael’ s Church. We didn’t have much, but I remember being very happy. I remember Monica and I playing in the small patch of grass (very close to the alley) while our moms sat on their wooden benches right outside their doors while keeping a watchful eye on the two of us. We lived in the second door, and Monica lived in the third door of the row, I will always remember Monica’s moms smile. Such a nice lady. I have a photo of Monica and I all dressed up posing by the church fence. We may have been 3 or 4 years old. My family moved to Weatherly, but mom and I would visit Mary and Monica when they moved to 15th St in Hazleton to sit on the front porch, and just talk. Such wonderful memories.
The last time I ran into Monica was in Allentown when she was a nursing student. We had so much catching up to do, but so little time. That was our last communication with each other.
I just thought you all would like to hear about this small snapshot of Monica’s younger years.
So very sorry for your loss. I am sure she was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother.
Monica was more than just an Aunt to me, she was my godmother. Anytime I think of her, it’s always a good memory of paying a fun visit to her place and having fun with my cousins. They were like the older brothers I never had growing up.
It was always the place to be, the place where you felt welcome and were loved. Generations gathered around Monica who’s remarkable energy lifted multiple family branches up during holidays and gatherings.
I’ll never forget when we all watched the premiere episode of the X Files together, the endless 80s songs in the house and car, the dreaded trip to Santarians with the bribe of “we’ll take you kids to the mall afterwards”, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, Uncle Ron getting one of the first high end surround sound systems installed, and my personal favorite from growing up: everyone telling me to “put the pepper down”
I’m sure you were on the shortlist because of Granny Simchock, and I know she had a hot meal waiting for you when you arrived on the other side…
I cannot thank Uncle Ron enough for being there to support her through all of the treatments over the years… that meant so much to my Mom and me as well.
I am glad I was able to see her before she passed on
I will never forget the great memories and what an amazing person, aunt, and godmother she was!