Sister Angela Koval

May 20, 1917 - january 22, 1977

Sister Angela (Helen) Koval, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, died on January 22, 1977, in Cambridge Springs, Pa. She was 59 in her 44th year of religious life.

The daughter of Michael and Mary (Danko) Koval, Helen was born on May 20, 1917, in Greenfield, Pa. She entered the community in 1932, professing first vows in 1933 and final vows in 1939. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1952 from Villa Maria College in Buffalo, N.Y.

Between 1933 and 1967, Sister Therese taught at Catholic grade schools in the Pennsylvania towns of Pittsburgh, Hellertown, Northampton, Erie, Charleroi, Tarentum, Canonsburg, Emmaus, Shenandoah, Perryopolis and Ambridge. She also taught in Clifton and Jersey City, N.J., and coordinated the altar boys, taught CCD and served as sacristan in several parishes.

Much of her path to God was via Mary and her Rosary. Daily she recited not only the entire Dominican Rosary, but also the Franciscan Crown. In this way, she took her personal petitions, those of her family and those who asked a remembrance in her prayers.

Her Sisters in community often called her “Sunshine” because of her radiant smile and her ability to cheer up those around her. She dearly loved to play Canasta as a relaxation and always played with the utmost determination to win.

In the last stages of her final illness, she was not able to receive Holy Communion. The chaplain came daily to bless her with the Blessed Sacrament. On these occasions, she responded with an exceptional expression, denoting she understood what was happening.

Sister Angela is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa.