Helen Bernadette Kovach, née Ural, passed away Feb. 3, 2026, in Galloway. She was 105.
Helen was born Sept. 30, 1920, in Brooklyn and grew up in the Bushwick neighborhood. While she spent most of her adult life living in New Jersey, Brooklyn always remained her home in her heart.
In 1949, Helen married Andy Kovach. The couple, their son, Andrew, and their daughter, Nancy, moved to Tinton Falls in 1958, where Helen lived for the next 65 years. She worked at Delicious Orchards until she was 84 years old.
Helen was always ready with a witty comment or joke. She loved to laugh, sip coffee on the screened-in porch, dine out at her favorite restaurants with her family, and sit by the fire. However, nothing in her life brought her more peace and comfort than her Catholic faith and attending Mass. Helen was devoted to her faith her entire life and found great solace and friendship in her community at the Church of St. Leo the Great in Lincroft.
Helen is survived by her children, Andrew Kovach and Nancy Allen; son-in-law John Allen; grandchildren, Jennifer (David) Allen, Daniel (Allyson) Allen, and Sarah Kovach; and her two great-grandchildren, Nora and Nolan. She was predeceased by her husband in 1989.
A Mass will be held at the Church of St. Leo the Great in Lincroft at a later date. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the charity of their choice.
The article originally appeared in the February 12 – 18, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
