Helen (Kovalich) Skoner

SKONER – Helen, 102, passed away peacefully at Specialty Select Hospital in Johnstown, after living almost all of her 102+ years in Dunlo. Born September 5, 1923 in Llanfair, daughter of John and Mary (Petrick) Kovalich.

Preceded in death by parents; husband Peter Raymond Skoner after 67 years together; son Dr. John Skoner; siblings Mary Soltis (Albert), Anne Giblock (Frank), John Kovalich (Shirley Eichenser); Joseph Kovalich; and Veronica Nagy (Lou).

Survived by loving children Barbara Kissell (Michael), Dr. David Skoner (Janet Hudak), and Dr. Peter Skoner, Jr. (Diane Soohy); grandchildren Brianne Leone (Stew) and Bradley Waters (Toni Bocchino); Jessica Bolton (John), Alison Skoner-Troese, Dr. Jonathan Skoner (Christina Conte), Amanda Sforza (Joseph), and Julianne Guerriero (Alex); and Kathleen Mehall (Jonas), Dr. Kelleen Harris (Matthew) and Dr. Matthew Skoner (Kelly DiMeo); and great-grandchildren Tanner and Alivia Leone; Asher Waters; Anthony, Zachary, Madison, Mackenzie, and Maxwell Bolton; Charlotte Troese; Serena Sforza; Natalie Guerriero; Noah, William, and Emma Mehall; Charlie Harris; and Hannah and Tucker Skoner; and cherished nieces and nephews who loved and supported her, and vice versa.

Helen graduated from Adams Township High School in 1941 and went straight to Baltimore to support the World War II effort as a “Rosie the Riveter” at the Glenn L. Martin Company, preparing bomber wings for the troops. After the war, she returned to her hometown, where she met her future husband, who had served in the U.S. Navy.

She was deeply devoted to her faith, first as a parishioner of Saints Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Dunlo, later Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Dunlo, and finally St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael. She walked to Mass daily when it was possible and attended at least weekly into her 90’s. In later years, she was an avid follower of the televised Sunday Mass from St. John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown, and looked forward to her weekly visit from her friend Dolly Yonkoski who shared prayers and Holy Communion in her home.

Helen was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society at Corpus Christi, Dunlo Elementary PTO, and auxiliary of the American Legion Post 573 in Llanfair.

Helen was an amazing matriarch who cooked, cleaned, counseled, and cared for her large family for a long time. Later in life, she stayed closely connected through frequent phone calls, earning the affectionate nickname “HNN” the Helen News Network. The many successes of her children and grandchildren are directly linked to her unwavering and loving support.

She took great care of herself, walking daily well into her hundreds, eating healthy, diligently doing her skincare routine, and enjoying a daily glass of merlot with a dark chocolate truffle. She was always well put together, with her hair, clothing, and jewelry in style, and faithfully followed her soap operas each day, beginning with As the World Turns in the 1950’s.

She and Ray loved polka dancing with friends for many years, throughout the state, and specializing in the Csárdás. They traveled extensively with family, visiting Hawaii, Memphis, Nashville, Niagara Falls, Orlando, San Francisco, Sanibel Island, Wildwood, Barcelona Spain, Saint Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands, and San Juan Puerto Rico. They enjoyed a Disney Cruise, vacationed in Ocean City MD each summer, and for ten years lived as snowbirds at their Egret Haus in Imperial Wilderness in Naples, Florida.

She was an avid reader of mystery and romance novels, loved decorating her home for the holidays, and was known for her homemade pies, especially her favorite, black raspberry. She loved having flowers and plants inside her home and outside during the summer. Helen’s longevity informs us all about the importance and power of happiness in faith, family, and friendships.

Friends will be received Thursday, February 12, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Charles O. Dimond Funeral Home in South Fork, where vigil service will be held at 6 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, February 13, at 10 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, Father Jerzy Auguscik, OFM Conf., celebrant. Committal, Corpus Christi Cemetery, Dunlo.

Special thanks to Jo, Joellen, Judie, Kerry, Laura, Lori, Sis, and other caregivers for their friendship, kindness and compassion. Special thanks to her friend Joanne Serre for her daily visit and companionship.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Skoner Family Pre-Medicine Scholarship at Saint Francis University. Please make checks payable to SFU and mail to Saint Francis University, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 600, Loretto, PA 15940. Please indicate 'Skoner Pre-Med Scholarship' on the check memo line or an attached note. On-line gifts can be made at francis.edu/makeagift and indicate 'Skoner Pre-Med Scholarship' in the designation box.