Olga Kowal

Olga Olynec Kowal - May 2,1921 - June 8, 2024

Olga Kowal, 103 of Kenilworth, entered into eternal rest on June 8, 2024 at her home.

Visitation on Thursday, June 13, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Panahida at 5:00 p.m.

Relatives and Friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, 309 Grier Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07202.  Please meet directly at the church.

Burial will follow at St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, South Bound Brook, NJ.

Olga Olynec was born in Rudno, Lviv, Ukraine to Sofia and Pavlo Olynec on May 2, 1921.

Olga had an idyllic childhood in her beloved Ukraine. After passing extensive exams, she attended the Gymnasium in Lviv and graduated with high honors. She soon married Michael Kowal in 1941, an accomplished educator and choir director. Unfortunately, their peaceful life in Ukraine was interrupted by the Second World War and Soviet occupation. They, along with their newborn daughter, Aurelia, fled on the last train from Ukraine to a displaced persons camp in Austria.

After many struggles, Olga and her family obtained a visa to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where their son, George, was born. In 1956, they moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.A. Having had to learn German and Spanish, she also learned English and worked as a respiration therapist for many years at St. Michael’s Hospital in Newark, NJ. In her retirement, Olga pursued her passion for Ukrainian embroidery, creating a collection of beautiful pieces for future generations to treasure. Our beloved Babtsya nourished three generations with her authentic Ukrainian home-cooking, often using ingredients from her bountiful backyard garden. She was an active member of the local YMCA, where she swam weekly until the age of ninety-eight.

Olga died peacefully in her sleep at home, surrounded by her loving family. She is predeceased by Michael Kowal, her husband of 70 years, her brothers, Roman Olynec of Glen Spey, N.Y, and Wolodymyr Olynetz, of Graz, Austria, son-in-law, Roman V. Hrab, and grandson, Michael A. Kowal.

She leaves behind in grief: daughter, Aurelia Hrab, and husband, Rostyslaw Kindratiw, and son, George Kowal, with Cheryl Ogden Picard.

Grandchildren: Roman M. Hrab, and wife, Jennifer Murray, Adrienne Hrab Gundersen, and husband, Bret Gundersen, Andrew Kowal, and Chelsea Kowal.

Great-grandchildren: Sofia L. Gundersen, Liya A. Gundersen, Roman W. Hrab, Vera A. Hrab, and Erik Laskey Kowal.

And extensive family in the United States, Ukraine, and Austria. May her memory be eternal and may she Rest in Peace!

In lieu of flowers, please support Ukraine’s fight for freedom with donations to Ukrainian Catholic University, https://supporting.ucu.edu.ua, or Revived Soldiers of Ukraine, https://www.rsukraine.org.