Ann Kovatch Hanawalt

Ann was born in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania on February 28, 1935 - along with her twin Agnes Kovatch, and was one of seven siblings. She graduated from Nesquehoning High School in 1952, and from the Easton (Pennsylvania) Hospital School of Nursing in 1955.

She married Richard F. Cortazzo in 1954; they had three children: Jeffrey in 1955, Mark in 1956, and Janis in 1960. They lived in New Jersey from 1957 until 1967, and she worked as a clinical nurse and nurse supervisor in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

She completed a bachelor’s degree at Lindenwood College in St. Louis in 1973, and a master’s degree at the University of Northern Florida. She worked in nursing school programs in St. Louis and Ponce, Puerto Rico, and as the nursing school director at St. Vincent Hospital in Jacksonville, after which she established a nursing education consultancy business (AKH Consultants) and continued her life-long work in nursing education.

She met her second husband, George Hanawalt, in St. Louis and accompanied him to Puerto Rico where he served as a Federal administrative law judge, and then on to Jacksonville, Florida in the 1970’s. They explored the Caribbean in their sail boat until George passed away due in 1999 to chronic kidney failure.

She was predeceased by her six siblings: John Jr. (Sonny), Margaret (Margie Blisard), Mary Tokay, Helen Homcha, Joe, and her twin Agnes; and four husbands: Richard Cortazzo, George Hanawalt, Jim Marlier, and Carl Van Ormer.

She’s survived by her sons, Jeffrey M. Cortazzo, MD, and Mark S. Cortazzo, and her daughter Janis A. Cortazzo, grandchildren Jonah S. McIntire, Seth L. McIntire, DO, Avvah T. Rossi, and Heather M. Kessler, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Per her wishes, there will be no church or funeral services. She suggested, rather than flowers or memorials, that donations to Holy Family Catholic Church or a charitable organization be considered.

She will be missed.