Passing of Mary J. Kovalchick Dendrinos - Funeral on Mon. June 16, 11am

[Fr Alexandros D. Petrides]

Dear Parishioners,

It is with great sorrow that we write to inform you of the falling asleep of Mary J. Kovalchick Dendrinos.

Viewing: Sunday June 15, 2025 from 3PM to 5PM in the Herron Funeral Home 458 Center At Market Streets Bethlehem, PA  18018.

Funeral Service:  Monday, June 16, 2025  at 11AM with a viewing from 10AM to 11AM all at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral 1607  West Union Blvd. Bethlehem, PA  18017.  

May her memory be eternal.

Obituary:

With profound sadness we announce that Mary J. Kovalchick Dendrinos, 55, wife of Spiro J. Dendrinos, died peacefully at her home in Hanover Township on Saturday, June 7,2025.  With her typical style of grace and dignity, she fought a battle with aggressive cancer. Sadly, the cancer was just too hard to beat.   Spiro and Mary were married  on October 24, 2021.

Mary was born in Bethlehem at St. Luke’s Hospital on June 4, 1970 to Andrew J. and Janet A. (Kucey) Kovalchick.

She attended Bethlehem Area Schools through Liberty High School, class of 1987.  While at Liberty she excelled academically achieving High Honors for 4 years. She took part in many activities including The LHS Grenadier Band, German Club, and Field Hockey. She traveled to England with the band to play in The Royal Albert Hall. She also participated in a German student exchange program. In 1997 she received the Scholar-Athlete award for Field Hockey.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Villanova University in 1991 with a BA in English. IN her senior year she received the Margaret Powell Esmonde Memorial Award for her winning essay in Contemporary American Poetry. After graduation she was accepted in the PhD program at the State College of New York at Stony Brook finishing with a PhM in English.

She was employed by ProJeCt of Easton as Director of Education Services. Afterward, she was employed by the Lehigh County Community College for over 14 years. She worked as the Director of Literacy & Job Training and later as a Grant Writer.  Most recently she was employed by the Bethlehem Area School District as the Federal Program & Grants Coordinator.

Mary was a warm & loving person loved by many friends and family. She loved celebrating holidays and decorating her home. Her favorite holiday was Halloween and she never failed to dress up in costume and hand out treats to all the neighboring children. She had a passion for collecting vintage items, especially holiday decorations and Pyrex ware.

She will be deeply missed by her husband Spiro J. Dendrinos, her parents Andy & Janet (Kucey) Kovalchick, her son Geoffrey Baser and his Father Robert W. Baser, step-daughters Marianna & Georgia, her Brother Andrew J & Jennifer Kovalchick, niece Kaylin, and her many friends.

Viewing: Sunday June 15, 2025 from 3PM to 5PM in the Herron Funeral Home 458 Center At Market Streets Bethlehem, PA  18018. www.Herronfuneralhomes.com
Funeral Service:  Monday, June 16, 2025  at 11AM with a viewing from 10AM to 11AM all at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral 1607  West Union Blvd. Bethlehem, PA  18017.  Burial to follow in Nisky Hill Cemetery in Bethlehem, PA.

Contributions: In her memory to the Bethlehem Area Education Foundation, https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=HWRCDQRMYFM38