Helen M. Kubacki

Helen M. Kubacki, an active leader in Polish-American activities in Berks County, died Aug. 7 in her residence on Garfield Avenue in West Wyomissing.

Kubacki, 84, was the wife of Daniel C. Kubacki.

She was a member of the Polish-American Heritage Committee of Berks County.

She was publicity chairwoman and activities coordinator for the Berks County Polish-American Board of Education and was chairwoman of the Solidarity Rally for Poland, helping to raise $13,000 in 1982.

Kubacki was employed as a Polish language instructor in an evening enrichment program at Reading Area Community College from 1975 to 1990. She also gave private instruction in Polish to children.

From 1985 to 2000, Kubacki presented Polish heritage programs on BCTV and in 1978 organized the Polish Melody Dance Group.

She was certified in Polish language teaching at Marie Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland, in 1980, and the University of Poznan, Poland, in 1982.

Born in Mount Carmel, Northumberland County, she was a daughter of the late Jerry and Laura (Songin) Monkiewicz.

Kubacki was employed from 1943 to 1944 as an industrial nurse by Bancroft Knitting Mills, Reading, and as a nursing school instructor by Alexandria, Va., Hospital, 1944-45.

She was employed as an obstetrical supervisor by Mercer Hospital, Trenton, N.J., 1945-46, and as a medical/surgical supervisor by Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, 1946-47.

She was employed from 1950 to 1960 by Reading Hospital as a staff nurse and medical/surgical supervisor and was employed from 1960 to 1970 as a staff instructor by the Reading Hospital School of Nursing.

Kubacki was an infectious control director at St. Joseph Hospital from 1974 to 1975.

She was a supervisor for the Berks County Office of Aging from 1975 to 1990.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, West Reading.

A 1936 graduate of Mount Carmel High School, she was a 1943 graduate of the Reading Hospital School of Nursing and was a graduate of Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, with a bachelor's degree in nursing.

Kubacki also attended Catholic University, Washington, D.C.; Columbia University, New York City; and Albright College for additional nursing education.

She received certification in epidimeology from the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, in 1974.

Kubacki was a member of the Literacy Council of Reading Berks and taught English as a second language.

She was a past president of the Reading Hospital Alumni Association scholarship program and chairwoman of its fund-raising arm.

She was past chairwoman of the Democratic Club of Spring Township.

Kubacki was also a docent at the Reading Public Museum European Gallery.

Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 10:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church. Entombment will be in Gethsemane Cemetery Mausoleum, Laureldale. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements.