Marlene Kovach Smith's Obituary
We announce the passing of Marlene Kovach Smith, 94, on Sunday May 10, 2026. A twenty-year resident of Trinity, FL and more recently residing at Arbor Terrace in Citrus Park, FL until her death. Her passing was peaceful and without pain at Melech Hospice House in Temple Terrace, FL.
Born October 27, 1931, in Detroit Michigan, Marlene is predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Dale Henry Smith, her brother Michael Kovach and her sister Mary Ann Comack. She is survived by daughter Sharyn Smith, son David Smith, daughter-in-law Eydie Sum, grandchildren Chase Smith, Sarah Krogh, Jessica Krogh, and Liam Smith.
She was raised in Wheeling, WV by her loving parents John Nickolas and Kathyrn Panko Kovach during the Great Depression. One formative memory in her early years was the announcement of the Pearl Harbor attack on the family’s radio in the living room. An avid fan of marching bands, she played clarinet in hers while attending Wellsburg High School, graduating at 16 in 1948.
After graduation, she lived at home and worked various administrative jobs in doctors’ offices. Then in her early twenties, she made a big leap of faith by moving to New York City to train as a flight attendant for Capital Airlines. In three months, she got her wings and flew on mostly eastern, southeastern and midwestern routes. Eventually based in Michigan, she met the man she would marry and spend the rest of her life with.
Dale and Marlene were married in 1957 and moved to Long Island New York in 1960. There they bought a home in Wantagh that they would live in for over 40 years and started a family. Marlene raised the kids, while Dale commuted to JFK Airport and then Manhattan for Trans World Airlines. She loved cooking and baking and always seemed tireless while working in the kitchen. She also organized amazing birthday parties for her two children and took them on adventures to nearby Jones Beach and Wantagh Park. When they grew a bit older, she became involved with the Rosary Altar Society at her parish of St. Frances de Chantal, eventually becoming president of the organization. During this time, both she and Dale became club leaders for both a girls and boys 4-H club as part of the Nassau County 4-H Organization.
And as if she didn’t have enough to do, she started working part-time at Geico Insurance Company. As the kids grew and their time was spent on school activities she eventually moved to a full-time position at Geico, where she would retire from in 1997. With more time to travel, she and Dale took many trips utilizing the travel benefits of his job.
Grandchildren started to arrive after retirement and Marlene loved spending time with the little ones. She and Dale decided to move from Wantagh in 2002 and sold their home for a new one in Trinity, FL. Now with warm weather, a pool and young grandchildren visiting, they settled into retired life for the next 20+ years.
We miss Mom/Grandma/Marlene especially for her open friendly nature and welcoming attitude. Never one to withhold her opinion, although she tried to bite her tongue, she was always supportive of her children and grandchildren. We miss you and wish you Godspeed to heaven and beyond!
The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at Arbor Terrace and LifePath Hospice of Tampa, with a special thank you to the Melech Hospice House for their exemplary, tender professionalism in Marlene's final days. The compassion shown by the staff there was nothing short of extraordinary.
Service and Memorial Information
● Funeral Mass: Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM.
● Location: St. Ignatius of Antioch (715 E Orange St, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689).
● Donations: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Marlene’s memory to the Melech
Hospice House (https://www.chaptershealth.org/locations/melech-hospice-house)
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