Louise Kovalovsky Obituary

Sister Louise Kovalovsky, CDP McCandless Township Sister Louise Kovalovsky, CDP, 72, of McCandless Township, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012. Sister Louise (formerly Sister DeMarillac) entered religious life from St. Malachy Parish in Kennedy Township. She was inspired by the Sisters of Divine Providence at St. Mary Help of Christians, McKees Rocks, finding them to be excellent teachers. From an early age, she loved art and took art classes throughout elementary and high school. Prior to entering the community in 1962, she attended Ivy School of Professional Art. She earned a bachelor's degree in history from La Roche College and a master's degree in education from Loyola University of Chicago and taught at the upper elementary level for a number of years including St. Basil, Carrick, from 1968 to 1971, and St. Alphonsus, Springdale, 1971 to 1980, where she was also principal. Sister Louise served as pastoral associate at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Warren, Ohio, 1977 to 1980, and as director of religious education at St. Rose Parish in Girard, Ohio, 1981 to 1982. In 1994, she returned to college and earned a bachelor's degree in studio arts from the University of Pittsburgh. She began her ministry in elementary education from 1966 to 1978, in a number of diocesan schools, including St. Anne's, Castle Shannon, St. Basil, Carrick, and St. Alphonsus, Springdale. A gifted artist, she experienced the power of art in a special way while ministering among the Chicano people in Colorado from 1982 to 1983, empowering them to use their artistic gifts to reclaim their heritage. In addition to watercolor, she worked in the mediums of clay, photography, graphic art, paper collage, fabric, dance, gardening and interior decorating. She was a case manager at Sisters Place in Clairton from 1997 to 2000, and women's program coordinator at Providence Family Support Center from 2000 to 2003. Most recently, she was college archivist at La Roche College, a position she held since 2005. She previously served as director of campus ministry from 1986 to 1992, at the college. Preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Marie Preininger Kovalovsky. Survived by her sisters, Frances (Charles) Hays, of Lansdale, and Arlene (John) Buettler, of Langhorne; and Sisters of Divine Providence and Associates throughout the world. Friends will be received from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Providence Heights. Wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday. Funeral Mass will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Mother of Divine Providence Chapel. Arrangements by ANTHONY G. STAAB FUNERAL HOME INC. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Divine Providence Retirement Fund, 9000 Babcock Blvd., Allison Park, PA 15101 or at www.divineprovidenceweb.org. Send online condolences to www.staabfuneral.com.