Martha Kona

Martha Mistina Kona, 84, formerly of Wilmette, IL, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 13, 2014 in Toledo, Ohio. She gave generously of her time and heart to her large circle of family and friends and lived a full life filled with travel, church, music, and dedication to her work. Predeceased by her beloved husband William Kona and dedicated parents Albert and Anna Mistina; she is the loving mother of Olivia Kona, MSMC Antonio Mancini and Dr. Lindy A. Kona Dr. Bradley J. Stanciu; and devoted grandmother of Genevieve and Milan Kona-Mancini, and Jessica and Rebecca Kona-Stanciu. Born in Bnovce nad Bebravou, Slovakia, she immigrated to the US in 1950 on the USAT General Hersey and landed in NYC. Then she attended Rosary College now Dominican University in River Forest, IL on a full-ride scholarship and received a BA in Economics. Afterwards she continued at the college and graduated with an MA in Library Science MALS. She went on to become a medical librarian Rush University Medical Center formerly known as Rush-Presbyterian-St. Lukes Medical Center, research librarian Central Soya, information specialist, lecturer, associate professor at the University of Illinois, consultant liaison for and representative of the Archdiocese of Chicagos European-American Advisory Board, and member of Gesu Parish. Professor Kona wrote several books including Ph.D Dissertations in Slovakiana in the Western World, Slovak Americans and Canadians in American Catholic Whos Who, Rush Medical College Library Cataloging Manual, and Kona-Mistina Family in the USA, and is the co-author and editor of Arcibiskup Dr. Karol Kmetko. She was an active member of numerous associations and orders including the American Association of University Women; American Association of University Professors chair bylaws committee, Catholic Library Association, Special Library Association, Midwest Library Association, Medical Library Association membership committee, Tri-state Hospital Assembly, Health Sciences Library honorary life member, Illinois Audio Visual Association president, Slovak World Congress chair heritage and culture committee, Matica Slovenska medal of distinction in Martin, Slovakia, Slovak Institute second vice president, Rome, Jednota, Slovak Catholic Falcon & Slovak League of America second vice president, Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem Grand Cross and Order of Merit, Imperial Order of Constantine the Great and St. Helena board member, Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and Womens Club of Wilmette philanthropy chair. From 1966 to the present, she was listed 23 times in numerous biographical publications including the 31st edition of the Marquis Whos Who in the World and the 68th edition of Marquis Whos Who in America. As stated by the publisher, entries are limited to the individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their fields of endeavor and who have thereby contributed significantly to the betterment of contemporary society. She enjoyed reading, traveling around the world, hosting dinner parties, classical music, physical fitness and beachcombing. A visitation was held and memorial mass was celebrated on Monday, April 21, 2014, at Gesu Catholic Church, Toledo, OH. * * * A memorial service will be held in Hillside, IL Chicago area. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Rd., Hillside, IL, 60162, 708 449-8300. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Toledo chapter of the Alzheimers Association, 2500 N. Reynolds, Toledo, OH, 43615-2820, 419 537-1999 or to the national Alzheimers Association, at 225 N. Michigan Ave., FL. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, 1-800-272-3900 or online at www.alz.org.