Bernadine Malinoski, a distinguished nurse and military veteran, passed away on August 28, 2025, at the age of 98 at the Horsham Center for Jewish Life in Horsham, Pennsylvania. Her lifelong dedication to healthcare and service to her country marked her as a significant figure in both nursing and military history.
Born on August 16, 1927, in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late John and Frances Malinoski. After completing her education at J. W. Cooper High School in 1944, she graduated from the Thomas Jefferson School of Nursing in 1948. Malinoski further enhanced her credentials by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston College and a doctorate in Public Health Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Malinoski’s service in the military began during World War II when she worked as a flight nurse with the Army-Air Corps. Her commitment continued during the Korean War, leading to her transfer to the U.S. Air Force. She retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1980, having served as an associate with the 69th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. Her exemplary service earned her the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service in the Air Force Reserve.
Beyond her military career, Malinoski was deeply involved in public health. She held the position of Director of Education and Nursing Services in Philadelphia and contributed to public health initiatives in Maryland. Her academic career included teaching Public Health Nursing at both the University of Michigan and Penn State University, where she was recognized for her numerous publications in the field.
Malinoski was an active member of the Thomas Jefferson Alumni Association and the American Public Health Association. Her commitment to community and professional organizations reflected her passion for advancing public health and nursing education.
A member of St. Casimir Roman Catholic Church in Shenandoah, she is survived by her sister-in-law Roseanne Malinoski and several nieces and nephews, including Lynn Malinoski Conlin and her children, as well as John Malinoski and his family.
A visitation for family and friends will take place on September 3, 2025, from 09:30 to 10:30 at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc. in Shenandoah. Following this, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 at the Divine Mercy Parish Sacred Worship Site – St. Casimir’s, officiated by Msgr. Ronald Bocian. Interment will follow at St. Casimir’s Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights.
Bernadine Malinoski’s legacy as a dedicated nurse and a trailblazer in military service will be remembered fondly by those who knew her and by the countless lives she touched throughout her remarkable career.