She was a flight attendant for Pan America Airlines, having lived in the Middle East, retiring after 20 years. She then worked as a nurse for the former Coaldale State General Hospital, retiring in 1976.

Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of the late Stanley J. and Josephine B. (Surma) Shimsky.

She was a 1947 graduate of the former Coaldale High School and also graduated from the former Hazleton School of Nursing.

She was a member of the nursing school's alumni association and the Pennsylvania Nurses Association.

Surviving are a sister Mildred, wife of Frank E. Bechtel of Levittown; two nieces, Marlene Skoloda of Hamburg and Patricia Ortiz of Guynabo, Puerto Rico.

Service: Funeral service 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, with the Rev. Stephen Halabura officiating. Interment, Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown. Call 9:30-11 a.m. Friday. Contributions in her name may be made to a charity or church of choice. Online registry and condolences can be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.

Published in Times News on December 10, 2009