Lillian Joan (Kovalski) Haber

Lillian Joan Kovalski Haber, 96, of Highland, held the hand of God and entered her eternal home on May 3, 2024.

Born to Agnes and Adam Kovalski on August 26, 1927, in Dillonvale, Ohio, she is preceded in death by her parents, husband Frank, sister Rose Marie (CDR William) Dryden, and brother Edward (LaDonna) Kovalski.

She is survived by her three loving children: Charles Haber of Highland, Maureen (Dickie) Haber-Gonzales of Copperopolis, CA, and Dr. Colleen (Brian Westenberg) Kelley of Wasilla, AK.

Lillian was a beloved grandmother to Jennifer (CDR Joseph, MD) Spinelli, Christine (Matthew) Thompson, Tiffany (Sgt. Jason) Hunter, Sean (Alysse) Rose, Ashley Hughes, Ryan (Taylor) Hughes, and Caitlin Kelley Rose. She called them her ‘angels’ and influenced their lives with an inspirational work ethic and her faith in God.

Her endless love and affection were shared with nine great-grandchildren: Michael and Declan Spinelli, Alexis and Kyle Thompson, Benjamin and Brianna Hunter, and Paxton, Dawson, and Palmer Hughes. 

As family matriarch, Lillian stayed updated with the lives of her many cousins, nieces and nephews, and the extended Kelley family.

As the first in her family to attend college, Lillian graduated from Ohio Valley Hospital School of Nursing in Wheeling, W. Va.  Her career as a Registered Nurse spanned two states and after meeting Frank, the love of her life, the two relocated to the Calumet region.  For the next 70 years, they called Highland home. After the birth of her third child, she retired her nurses cap and dedicated the remainder of her life to motherhood and serving her Catholic community.

She found a passion and talent for outdoor gardening that brightened her neighborhood. Her influential role as Cub Scout and Girl Scout Troop Leader for fifteen years helped develop boys and girls into self-assured young adults.  She organized many activities and highlights that included camping weekends, a trip to Washington DC that was a ‘first air travel’ for many, and theater trips to Drury Lane. She guided Catholic Girl Scouts through projects to earn the highest Catholic award, the Marian Award. Her children enjoyed music, art, dance, gymnastics, and sewing lessons along with their first job of delivering papers to the neighborhood route.   

For decades, Lillian was a tireless volunteer leader of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.  She was a multi-term president of the Altar and Rosary Sodality, twelve-year Parish Council member, served meals at the Family Breakfast, and organized the “Angels of the Altar.” She was a member of the Funeral Choir, volunteer OLG school nurse, and organized the annual “The Melting Pot” cookbook (and gave recipe-credit to her daughters and granddaughters). Recognizing there was a local need to feed the hungry, she and Frank founded and managed the OLG Food Pantry.

Amidst all this achievement, she carried tremendous pride and humility as the co-founder/manager of the annual OLG Beer Garden that enhanced the town’s July 4th celebrations.  At the age of 70 when most retire, she and Frank, along with son Charles, shared their vision and energy to lead a highly dedicated group of volunteers who worked seamlessly to profit a half-million dollars for their parish. Her 21-year legacy of the Beer Garden was an inspiration to her family as she taught them valuable lessons in life through her shining example.  She was equally inspired by those who helped ensure the event’s success until she ‘retired’ in 2018 at age 90. 

Lillian’s family expresses a most sincere Thank You to the healthcare professionals at Community Hospital, Hartsfield Village Rehabilitation Center, Unity Hospice, and Superior Ambulance EMS team.  Their compassion and care helped make her final years as comfortable as possible, for which we are very grateful.  

To our cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother…thank you, for everything.

“May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

Visitation: Thursday, May 9, 5-8pm and Friday, May 10, 10:30am, Fagen Miller, Highland.

Funeral Mass: Friday, May 10, 11:00am, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.

Interment: Calumet Park Cemetery

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lillian Joan (Kovalski) Haber, please visit our floral store.