Phyllis B. Monk (Testal)'s Obituary
Monk (Testal)
Phyllis Bernice
Of Pittsburgh, on February 26, 2016, age 87. Born in Chicago, IL, May 21, 1928, she was the only child of the late Harvey and Emma (Wilson) Testal. Throughout her young life, she grew up in 6 mid-western states, studied violin for 7 years, was the Muskegon High School orchestra concertmaster, and played with the Westshore Symphony for 2 years. She was a '48 Muskegon Jr. College graduate, and continued onto the Univ. of Michigan where she graduated with a BS in Zoology in 1950. That same year, she married the love of her life, Bill Monk, in Stoughton, WI. After moving to Pittsburgh in 1962, she graduated from the Univ. of Pittsburgh for her M. Ed in Secondary Ed. She was a devoted Biology teacher for 12 years throughout the South Hills school districts, where she encouraged students to participate in the PA Junior Academy of Science, which she also served as a judge. She joined the Botanical Society of W. PA in 1969, became an honorary member, and was co-author of Wildflowers of Pennsylvania, with Dr. Mary Joy Haywood, later authoring Trees and Shrubs of Providence Point in 2016.
She was a life-long member of the Methodist Church, a 32 year member and teacher of the same Bible Study group, and participated with her husband in the United Methodist Marriage Encounter for 10 years as a team couple and State Executive Lay couple. Her interests included nature study, hiking, golf, photography, bridge, Bible study, travel, sewing, reading, painting, and crafting. She loved the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and was an avid subscriber for 40 years. She traveled to all 50 states, as well as 15 foreign countries. She moved to Providence Point in 2010, where she was the President of the Garden Club, a wildflower and travel lecturer, and lovingly shared the title of Bocce 2014 champion with Bill.
She is survived by husband, Bill; sons, Frederick Michael (Carla D.) and Paul Patrick (late Willette) Monk; grandchildren, Joshua G., John G., Misty D., and Benjamin M. Monk, and Tara A. Monk and Tiffany L. Spaulding; and 5 and 2/3 great-grandchildren.
Friends will be received on Monday, Feb. 29, from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, INC., 301 Curry Hollow Rd., Pleasant Hills, 15236. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday at 2 PM at Christ United Methodist Church, 44 Highland Rd., Bethel Park, 15102. Interment will follow at Jefferson Memorial Park.
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