Sister Mary Alyce Koval 1947-2026

Mary Alyce Koval was born Oct. 6, 1947, in Youngstown, the daughter of John and Margaret Volk Koval.

She attended SS. Peter and Paul Elementary School and graduated from Ursuline High School in 1965.

She entered the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown on Sept. 12, 1965, and was received into the novitiate on Aug. 8, 1966. She made a perpetual profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1973.

Sister Mary Alyce earned a B.S. in education from Youngstown State University, an M.S. in elementary education from the University of Dayton and an M.A. in ministry from Ursuline College, Cleveland.

In 58 years of active ministry, Sister Mary Alyce served in a variety of settings. She was a teacher at St. Nicholas, Struthers; St. Rose, Girard; and St. Luke. She served as principal at St. Joseph, Austintown; St. Rose, Girard; and St. Charles. She served as education director at Beatitude House. She also served as diocesan pastoral associate at St. Luke Parish from 2017-2025. Until the time of her death, she was a pastoral minister at the parishes in northern Trumbull County: St. Thomas the Apostle, Vienna; St. Robert, Cortland; and St. William, Champion.

In addition to these ministries, Sister Mary Alyce served the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown as director of formation and three terms on the leadership team of the Ursuline Sisters.

She was also active in a variety of organizations. She previously served on the boards of Beatitude House and Park Vista. In addition, she served on the following boards until the time of her death: St Joseph the Provider School, Antonine Village, Mahoning Valley Association of Churches and the inter-congregational advisory board of Regina Health Center, Richfield. Beginning in 2007, she also volunteered as a companion for Hospice of the Valley.

Sister Mary Alyce leaves her sisters in community; a sister, Nancy Arreola of Santa Rosa, California; and two brothers, Robert (Laurie) of Denver, Colorado, and John (Maureen) of Poland. She also has several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Ursuline Motherhouse Chapel, 4250 Shields Road, Canfield.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2026, at St. Catherine of Sienna Parish-St. Luke Church, 5235 South Ave.

Friends may call at St. Luke Church prior to the funeral, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ursuline Sisters Mission.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel. Family and friends are invited to visit www.higgins-reardon.com to share memories and condolences.

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