Isabella Kovacs

Isabella Kovacs, 84, of Norwich, CT passed away from Covid-19 on April 23rd, 2020 at JFK Hospital in Edison, NJ after residing at the Menlo Park Veteran’s Memorial Home in Edison, NJ since January 10th, 2020. 

Born in Loughbawn, County Monaghan, Ireland, Isabella immigrated to the United States at the age of 17 with her sister and her Aunt after losing both of her parents at a young age. She came through Ellis Island, New York, and lived in California where she attended high school. She joined the Army in March 1956, and after one year, joined the Air Force in which she served for an additional year. Isabella settled in Norwich, CT in 1971 after living in California, Hawaii, South Carolina, and Oklahoma. She was employed at Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT for many years until her retirement.

Isabella is the devoted and loving mother of Julie Ann Kovacs (Diaz), Joseph Fessler, and Michael Fessler, who tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2015. She is the cherished grandmother of Adam Diaz, Adrian Reque, and Jessica Hemingway, and great-grandmother to Jordan, Aliyah, Kaydence, and Lyla. She is the daughter of the dearly departed Florence and Harry Chamber, and ex-wife of Billy John Kovacs (1943-2010). She is survived by her siblings Ann Moore, Kathleen Murphy, and Noel Chambers. Her dearly deceased siblings include Reenie, John and Jim Chambers. Isabella, also known as “Sue” or “Susie” was an esteemed member of her community and was a faithful and devoted member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was humble, patient, kind, and loving, and she always put others before herself. She enjoyed American music from the 60’s and Irish Celtic music. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, shopping, dining out, eating sweets, and cooking savory meals. She had a sharp crackly wit and made us all laugh with her wisecracks, even in the most dire times. One of her nurses became a family friend because she made such as impact on her. As Nurse Kirby was asking her questions to establish her state of mind, she asked her birthday and mom said, “What does that have to do with anything?” That wisecrack resulted in a lot of personal attention and time on the phone which was greatly appreciated and treasured by her daughter Julie in those last few days. Isabella touched many lives and will be dearly missed. She requested cremation and that her ashes be sprinkled on the hill in Shercock, Ireland where she played as a girl. When it is safe to travel, Julie and her family will travel to Ireland to honor her wishes and reunite with our Irish family members. Private cremation services are under the discretion of the Gosselin Funeral Home, Edison, NJ (732) 381-5858. A virtual memorial service will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Send email to juliediaz6@gmail.com for details. A pink rose bush is being planted in her honor in Dunellen, New Jersey with a customized marble stone with her name, the first line of the scripture Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd.

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