Gwendolyn Kovalcik passed away Sunday, November 8th at the age of 72 completing a life full of love, adventure, and joy. Born in Houston on the 14th of February 1948 to parents Wildor Barnes Howell and Cleo Dean Howell, Gwen spent her life as a resident of Channelview and Baytown, Texas. As proven by her decades of service working with the longshore shipping industry through the Clerk & Checkers Union #1351, Gwen forever displayed that being tough as nails and never fearing the need to pull up some bootstraps to get work done required no sacrifice of sensitivity and a desire to love warmly- something that earned her both the respect and adoration of those who had the privilege to work with her. Gwen was a woman of many passions, though people that knew her well knew that her desires to travel, see the world, be outdoors, hunting and fishing were some of which that burned the brightest. She always found comfort in nature, be it rolling green pastures, a wide-open lake, or a porch with a wind chime and a view. She always felt at home taking in the natural beauties of the world and never missed the chance to appreciate them as a gift from God.
To know Gwen was to know love. Every soul she came in contact with was one she held a fondness for. If she felt compelled to share kind words or a caring gesture with you, there was no escaping it. Gwen loved fully and unapologetically and carried a sense of gratitude for the beauty of life through every moment, something imparted on her by her mother. That gratitude was exemplified in her respect for all those who serve others. Seizing every opportunity to extend her sincere appreciation for military service members, law enforcement officers, first responders and those alike, she forever remained conscious of the associated sacrifice and duty, which she held in the highest regard. Her appreciation was also displayed through her involvement with the 100 Club of Central Texas, where she regularly contributed to assisting and aiding the families of fallen heroes. With several family members serving in the military, law enforcement or serving the community in other ways, her appreciation for folks like this was always paired with a heart full of pride.
Gwen was preceded in death by her father: Wildor Howell, her mother: Cleo Howell, her husband and soul mate: Leon Kovalcik, and her brothers: Gary Griggs, Tommy Griggs, and Larry Howell. She never feared loss, nor passing, as she housed peace in knowing she would one day be able to live in the glory of meeting her creator and be reunited with those she loved. She is survived by her sisters: Sheila Dumas (husband: Rick) and Dixie Griggs, her children: Robert Jones (wife: Rosanne), Allen Jones, Lisa Favalora (husband: John), Kellie Royal (husband: Greg), Mitch Kovalcik (wife: Leigh Ann), Mike Kovalcik, Donna Gassiot, and David Kovalcik, her grandchildren: Aaron, Austin, Bailey, Bradley, Brittany, Christopher, Devin, Hailey, Kaitlin, Jamie, Josh, Justin, Leslie, Shane, Travis, and Zach and five great-grandchildren. She remains forever in the hearts and memories of those she loved.
Funeral services will be held at Navarre Funeral Home on Saturday, November 21st at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Gwen requested donations be made towards the research, care and cure for Rett Syndrome, in honor of her great-niece, Ava Martin (www.rettsyndrome.org/get-involved/donate).
“We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. We thought of your yesterday, and days before that, too. We think of you in silence, we speak your name with pride, and we relive our memories of living side by side. Your memory is our keepsake with which we’ll never part. God has you in His keeping- we have you in our hearts”
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