Mary Sharber Kovarik

Mary Sharber Kovarik passed away at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia, on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at the age of 96. She was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on February 24, 1923 where she spent her childhood until moving to Norfolk, Virginia following high school. She met her husband, Robert (Bob) Carl Kovarik, Sr., in Norfolk and they were married on February 22, 1945. Bob and Mary lived in Syracuse, NY before settling in Arlington, VA. Mary was a wonderful wife, loving mother and grandmother, avid golfer, and bridge player. She was a devoted fan of the Washington Redskins. All that knew Mary enjoyed her warm smile, generous heart and quick wit. She worked as an administrative assistant at the Agency for International Development and other government agencies. Mary gave back to the community through her volunteer service to Meals on Wheels and the Arlington Free Clinic.

Mary is survived by her brother, James Lockwood Sharber, Jr., two sons, Robert Carl Kovarik, Jr. (Celia) and James Sharber Kovarik (Terri), her four grandchildren, Mary Catherine Kovarik, Lauren Kovarik South, Robert Carter Kovarik and Stephen James Kovarik, and two great granddaughters, Quinn Ferrill South and Nora Elizabeth South. She is also survived by many loving and supportive family, friends and caregivers. She was predeceased in 1972 by her beloved husband, Bob Kovarik, as well as her parents James and Blanche Sharber and four sisters, Helen, Iris, Alyse and Elizabeth.

A memorial service will be held at Murphy Funeral Home at 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 11 am, with a reception to follow the service. A graveside service will be held at 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to donate in Mary’s memory, we request donations be made to American Heart Association at www2.heart.org or P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 or your favorite charity.