Monica M. Homer

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in memory of Monica Homer to go to:

St. Ignatius School

740 Manida St

Bronx NY 10474

Please use the below link:

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E350019&id=1

Monica McKeon Homer passed away peacefully on July 19, 2024. She was born on November 16,1935 to her loving parents, Nicholas and Rita McKeon, and grew up in Oceanside with her older beloved sister, Joan. She married Bruce Homer in 1958 and they bought their home in Mineola, in 1962, where they raised their three children–Paul, Chris, and Kelly. She was an active member of Corpus Christi Parish, serving there as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Pre-Cana facilitator. She also served several years as an EMT and hospital volunteer in Mineola.

Monica was a proud graduate of Oceanside High School, Adelphi University, and Columbia University, where she earned her doctorate in education. She was a master teacher and, as a professor in the Health Studies Program at Adelphi for 33 years, trained a generation of outstanding health educators on Long Island, including Chris. Her love of education and the obvious satisfaction that it could bring influenced a lot of career choices. Monica developed, with her former student, colleague and beloved friend, Marilyn Kennell, groundbreaking education programs with AAA in alcohol awareness and created an educational resource company, RAIF (relevant, active involvement, and fun). Monica also created a professional association of health teachers known as HealthNets, with another great former student, friend, Mary Barrese.  She was known as a knowledgeable teacher who took a personal interest in all her students.That ability to connect with people was her trademark. She loved to get to know people in all stations of life.

Monica loved sports and was inducted into the Oceanside HS Sport Hall of Fame, having earned a varsity letter in four sports there. She loved tennis and golf in her later years and took great pleasure in teaching her family how to play. She enjoyed traveling the world with friends and family, and hosting gatherings at her home when she was able. She never said “no” to a game, whether at the dining room table or at the black jack tables of Atlantic City. She spent her final happy fourteen years living at the Seasons in East Meadow, where she loved to call BINGO and converse with neighbors.

Her greatest joy in life was her growing family–her nephew and niece, Matthew and Joanne Poshkus (Eddie), her children and their spouses (Paul and Karen Homer, Chris and Lori Homer, and Kelly and Richard Bocchicchio) and her grandchildren (Luke (Jen)/Sarah (Julius), Kayleigh/Allie, and Patrick/Paul/Jenny). She would often gaze at a photo in her bedroom of the three generations and say, “How blessed I am! They are all such good kids.” Monica was very grateful to Karen, Lori, and Rich for their love and to their families, who were so generous in including her in holiday and summer gatherings.She was touched by the kindness of colleagues and neighbors for their calls and visits. And she often prayed to “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph” for help and to express her gratitude for a good, long, and happy life.