Bernadine Helen Shaffer Kovacs Swiech – Elizabeth Township
Bernadine Helen Shaffer Kovacs Swiech, 66, of Elizabeth Township, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 26, 2022. She was born Jan. 13, 1956, in McKeesport, and was the daughter of Julia Glagola Shaffer of Elizabeth Township and the late Harry William Shaffer. She was a member of Dormition of the Holy Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church, McKeesport. She grew up in Crawford Village and later in life became the first female trustee for the Edwin R. Crawford Foundation. She was a legal secretary for 37 years for the late George F. Young and then became an account manager for Alpine Packaging for nine years. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of seven years, Vincent L. Swiech Jr.; daughters, Traci M. Hrehor of Elizabeth Township and Sheri A. (Glen W.) Yammarino of Frederick, Md.; and grandsons, Evan E. Hrehor and Isaac J. Hrehor of Elizabeth Township. She was preceded in death by her brother, Harry “Babe” Shaffer. Friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at GILBERT FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 6028 Smithfield St., Boston, Elizabeth Township, 412-751-5000, Drew J. Gilbert, director. Panachida service will be held at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 2, 2022. The Rev. Dimitri Ermakov will be officiating. Interment will follow at McKeesport Versailles Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your favorite McKeesport charity. Condolences may be made at Gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
