Esther Kovach
Esther Kovach, 91, of Rices Landing, died Saturday, December 19, 2020, in Woodside Place of the Presbyterian Senior Care, Washington.
She was born June 28, 1929, in Cumberland Township, Greene County, a daughter of the late Attilio and Albertina Campani Bertugli.
Esther was a 1947 graduate of Jefferson High School.
She worked for the Department of Public Welfare in Waynesburg as the clerical supervisor for 33 years and was recognized as Supervisor of the Year by the State of Pennsylvania.
She was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church in Rices Landing, now the St. Matthias Parish and she had taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults classes, visited shut-ins, worked the St. Ann’s soup kitchen and was recognized for her service by the Catholic Church. She was a founding board member and volunteer for Hospice Care, Inc., the initial hospice care in Greene County, and she volunteered at the former Greene County Memorial Hospital.
On October 11, 1947, she married Victor Kovach, who died October 21, 2014.
Surviving are a daughter, Virginia (Raymond) Montibeller of Rices Landing; two sons, Victor (Pam) Kovach of Santa Fe, N.M., and Mark (Monique) Kovach of Fredericksburg, Va.; 11 grandchildren, Michael Montibeller, Dr. Joseph (Lori) Montibeller, David (Sarah) Montibeller, Dr. Ryan Kovach, Devin Kovach, Marissa Kovach, Julianna Kovach, Ashley (Matt) Glenn, Mitch (Jara) Dowd, Jessica Dowd, Allyson Czarnaski; three great-grandchildren, Marcus Victor Montibeller, Luca James Montibeller and Emma Dowd; and sister-in-law Donna Kovach of Jefferson.
Deceased are a brother, Remo E. Bertugli; and three sisters, Anita Dukate, Erma Mosier and Eola Trumka.
Presbyterian Senior Care @ Woodside Place and Gateway Hospice provided exceptional care to Esther.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon on Monday, December 28, in St. Marcellus Roman Catholic Church of St. Matthias Parish, 1340 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, PA 15344. The service will be live streamed through Esther’s website on the services tab of the Behm Funeral Home, Jefferson, website. Please be aware the live stream will only start a few minutes before 12 noon.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Presbyterian Senior Care, Woodside Place, Gateway Hospice or to St. Matthias Parish.
Arrangements entrusted to the Behm Funeral Home, 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, PA 15344, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor.
Condolences may be expressed at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.