Frances M. (Olenick) Kovalchick passed away on Oct. 25, 2026, at the age of 94. Born in Punxsutawney, PA on Sept. 16, 1932, she was the daughter of Frances R. (Bzinak) and Joseph J. Olenick. She was the sister of Loretta A. Koromaus who was married to Joseph Koromaus, both deceased. Frances was married to John Kovalchick Jr on Aug. 9, 1958, until his death on Jan. 23, 1999. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Michael and Anna Bzinak, parents Joseph J. and Frances R. Olenick, in-laws John and Anna Kovalchick, husband John, and step-son and daughter-in-law Ron and Shirley Kovalchick. Frances is survived by her children John J. (Vickie), Joseph J. (Stacy), and Carl F; her grandchildren Tyler J., Jason J., and Kathryn L. Kovalchick; her step grandchildren Shawn Kovalchick and John (Kara) Kovalchick and step great-grandchildren Maximilian E., Axel A., Kyle S. and Vesper L. Kovalchick. Frances is also survived by many nieces and nephews, special among them are Diane Kowalski and Janet Petro, and her very good friend Helen Gardner.
Frances graduated as class valedictorian in 1950 from St. Cosmos and Damian High School, and afterward became a legal secretary for Margiotti and Casey in Pittsburgh for ten years. After her marriage Frances lived in Elderton and was a member of St. Mary, Mother of God church in Yatesboro. She was a homemaker and prized her Slovak cooking and baking skills with the help of her mother-in-law Anna. She enjoyed watching sports- Pirate and Steeler games, and her yelling could be heard outside. She especially enjoyed watching her granddaughter Katie’s basketball games at Washington and Jefferson College. Frances was old school in every way. Her Slovak hospitality was well known. She had a prolific memory and a pure heart. People loved to talk to her and she loved to talk to them, especially her friend Helen Gardner. The phone was always nearby, as was her rosary and her back scratcher. She always spent the month of August preserving peaches, pears, plums, berries, peppers, and jellies.
She was Catholic and a faithful servant of God, never missing Mass or Holy Days. Frances was a caregiver for her mother, and husband John until their passing. She especially enjoyed going on casino trips with friends, and family vacations to Ocean City and Atlantic City.
Funeral services by Donahue-Tylinski will be private, and Frances will be buried beside her husband John in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Sagamore, PA.
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