AUSTINTOWN - Helen L. Kovach, 83, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2015, at Humility House.

Helen was born June 8, 1932, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late John and Emily Hinebaugh Steck, and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker who worked at Chaney Pharmacy for 20 years. She also worked for the G.C. Murphy Co. in downtown Youngstown.

Helen was an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Austintown. She was a Eucharistic minister at the church, helped behind the scenes with paperwork, and was instrumental in helping start up the parish center.

Mrs. Kovach enjoyed birdwatching, gardening, and camping.

Her husband of over 50 years, Robert R. Kovach, whom she married June 18, 1949, passed away Dec. 20, 1999.

Helen leaves a son, Richard R. (Phyllis) Kovach of North Jackson; two daughters, Deborah Connelly of Nantucket, Mass. and Cindy Woloschak of Youngstown; 13 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty Radowick of North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Irene Steck; and a daughter-in-law, Irene Caracanas.

Besides her husband, a son, Raymond Kovach; a brother, William Steck; a sister, Mary Gray; a brother-in-law, George Radowick; and two sons-in-law, Paul Connelly and Joseph Woloschak, preceded her in death.

Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown.

Funeral services will begin at 9:15 a.m., Monday, Dec. 7, at the funeral home, and will continue at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Norquest Blvd, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, where Helen will be laid to rest next to her husband.

Memorial contributions may be made in Helen's name to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center; or to St. Jude's Children Hospital.