Obituary of Mona Licorenko Alexander

When they say big things come in small packages, they must have had Mona Alexander’s kind heart and feisty spirit in mind.

Mona Licorenko Alexander, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2023 at Covenant Hospice. Mona lived a full and active life, mostly in this area, until recent years, when the darkness of dementia sidetracked her enjoyment of living.
A Pensacola native, Mona spent her childhood and schooldays in area public schools. Her love of learning led her to return to school in her mature years after first, becoming an ideal Naval officer’s wife, and then, giving her all as a devoted mother to her two sons, Paul Shimek III and Arthur Shimek.
Once her sons were well on their way to completing Law School, Mona took steps to achieve her own life goals.
Mona was in her early forties when she enrolled at the University of West Florida, where she graduated with a BS in Social Work. After UWF, she continued her education at Troy State University, where she earned her Master’s in Counseling and Human Development. Her solid education prepared her well for a fascinating career spanning over 20 years as a licensed Counselor and Clinical Social Worker.
Over the years, her professional efforts included helping a wide variety of clients, among those dealing with:
*Chronic Mental illness
*Alcohol and Drug Abuse
*Evaluations for Baker Act
*Incarceration in area jails
*Families in need of State Aid

Although Mona felt fulfilled in her chosen career, nothing could quite compare with the joy she felt in her role as grandmother of three: Natalie, Ander and Rachael Shimek. She never failed to spend time and energy having delightful fun with her cherished grands.
Mona equally cherished her role  as a wife, for a time. She was a teen when she married Paul Shimek, Jr, a USN Ensign and Annapolis Naval Academy graduate. They spent over 30 years together before they grew apart and divorced.
Within a few years, Mona met Michael Shell. They soon married and spent nearly 20 years together before their marriage ended in divorce.
But the single life wouldn’t last long for Mona, when she met John Waite, who was also a resident at Bayshore Condominiums.  At the time, John, an accomplished author, was captain of a Merchant Marine ship based in San Diego, California, and during his returns from shipboard duties, he and Mona always managed to have special times together.
Over the years, as Mona’s dementia interfered with her ability to remain independent, John continued to be beside her every step of the way. No wonder we called him Saint John, since he selflessly served as an earthly answer to a prayer in Mona’s later years.
Today, as we speak from our hearts, we recall Mona as quite a special lady, who was dearly loved by her family and her many friends.
Mona’s late parents, Arthur and Laura Sue Licorenko, would have been overjoyed to see what a remarkable woman Mona had become.
Mona was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and nephew, Tom Davis, Jr.
She is survived by her sons,  Paul Shimek III, of Atlanta; and Arthur (Teresa) Shimek of Pensacola Beach, her grandchildren, Natalie, Rachael and Ander Shimek.
Survivors also include her sister, Sue Davis, brother in law, Tom Davis; brother, William Licorenko of Marianna, Florida; her nephew Alex (Margaret) Davis, and her niece, Beth Fitzpatrick Davis.
In addition, Mona is survived by her great nieces, nephews and numerous cousins.
A Celebration of Life, will be held on July 26, 2023 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Bayshore Condominiums, 825 Bayshore Drive.

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