Monica Getz of Irvington

Born into Swedish aristocracy on May 19, 1934, Monica was the granddaughter of Count Eric von Rosen and descended from Nils Silfverskiöld, both prominent royal Swedish families.

Monica attended Georgetown University, where she met her future husband, jazz legend and Hall of Famer Stan Getz, during a campus concert with Count Basie. They married in 1956, with actress Donna Reed as her maid of honor. Monica embraced the role of stepmother to Stan’s three young children from a previous marriage—Steven, David, and Beverly—and later welcomed two children of her own, Pamela and Nicolaus.

Fluent in eight languages, Monica was a woman of intelligence, grace, and compassion, known for her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. She once graced the cover of Elle magazine, but her true beauty was in her unwavering dedication to helping others.

Later in life, Monica attended Rutgers University, becoming a respected speaker on addiction and recovery. She shared her insights at renowned institutions, including the Betty Ford Clinic in California and the Hazelden Institute in Minnesota.

Monica was also a passionate advocate for family justice. She founded the National Coalition for Family Justice, a nonprofit committed to reforming the divorce and family court systems to ensure fairness, transparency, and accessibility. Her work focused on supporting victims of domestic violence through crisis intervention, advocacy, and legal resources.

Monica is survived by her children, Nicolaus and Pamela; her stepson, David; her stepdaughters, Beverly and Sharon Hamilton-Getz, the widow of her late stepson Steven; and her grandchildren, Christopher, Katie, Daniel, Jennifer, Amanda, and Isabella.

Monica’s life was marked by compassion, intellect, and an unyielding drive to improve the lives of those around her. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the National Coalition for Family Justice or an organization supporting recovery.