Mary Ann Kovacs “MiMi” passed away peacefully at home Friday, December 23, 2022, at the age of 86. She was born on March 9, 1936, in New Orleans to the late James H. Smith and Gladys Voorhies Smith. Sister of Joan Huber Lukowski and the sister of the late James H. Smith, Jr “Smitty.”
Mary Ann enjoyed her youth on Lake Pontchartrain; fishing, boating, and laying in the sun at their camp on Treasure Isle in Slidell. She attended St. Dominic’s and loved to walk to Church on Sundays as she lived in the Lakeview neighborhood in the 1940’s. Mary Ann attended Dominican High School in the 1950’s and took the streetcar every day to school. She was an avid traveler visiting many continents and countries with her parents, husband, and children. Her love for dancing included being a member of an International and Jewish dance group. She also loved dancing at the Jefferson Orleans with her favorite being the big band music from the 1940’s and 50’s.
She loved Jesus and was involved in the Catholic Charismatic Movement in the 1970’s, where she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior in the Summer of 1975. She truly believed in the scripture John 3:16. For many years she loved being a member of Women’s Aglow, Victory Fellowship and Celebration Church. She enjoyed all her years working at Victory Fellowship where she met many friends.
Beloved wife of the late Charles Alfred Kovacs for 46 years who she often said, “he was a good man.” They were devoted to each other and lived a wonderful life. She later remarried her childhood friend George E. Ball where they enjoyed dancing and traveling together. She is survived by her four children, Mary Joan Castanza (Chris), Kathy Rappold (Michael), Chuck Kovacs (Frieda), Kevin Kovacs (deceased) and Connie Dietrich (Greg). She also leaves behind (is survived by) her 12 grandchildren Jeanne Marie Toca Chatagnier (Ray), Christine Toca Hereford Shields (Chris), Bonnie Toca, Jessica Toca Surla (Chris), Amanda Rappold, Andrew Rappold (deceased), Peter Rappold, Bridget Kovacs Cunningham (Michael), Jonathan Kovacs, Steven Kovacs, Kathleen Dietrich, and Mary Elizabeth Dietrich. She is also survived by her 10 greatgrandchildren Nathan, Chandler and Harrison Chatagnier, Gavin Hereford, Gabriella Shields, David Toca, Micah and Jeremiah Surla, Aiden Rappold, and Luka Cunningham.
She is survived by her companion and beloved dog Manny who never left her side.
Special thanks to Tracy Kimble and Terry Phillips whose devoted and affectionate care helped make her last year memorable and comfortable.
Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation beginning at 12:00 p.m. Interment in Metairie Cemetery.
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