Harrisburg – Anna (Ann) M. (Kovalchick) Gard, 95, of 2807 Ionoff Rd., passed away on April 30, 2026, at Penn State Hershey Medical Center with her daughter by her side.

The middle child, she was born on June 23, 1930, in Detroit, MI, to John and Anna (Bodnar) Kovalchick, immigrants who fled from Czechoslovakia, present-day Slovakia, through Cherbourg, France, in 1922. Ann would always say, "We come from brave people."

Ann was a graduate of Mount Carmel High School, Class of 1948. Her first career was as a seamstress working in factories in Mount Carmel and Kulpmont. In 1972, she and her husband, Chet, started H&R Block tax services in Shamokin and expanded the business to a second location in Pottsville. She was an owner, manager, teacher, and tax preparer during her 28 years in tax. She enjoyed this work and loved the people who worked with her. They continued to hold a special place in her heart and stayed in touch throughout the years.

On May 31, 1952, she married Chester M. Gard, in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Kulpmont, PA. They were married for 66 years and 4 months until his passing in 2018.

Ann was a member of the Church of the Holy Angels, Kulpmont, and the Ladies Lions Club, where she served for many years as an officer. She and Chet were co-facilitators of Bingo for the Church's Annual Picnic until 2018. Ann especially enjoyed supporting community activities such as the Halloween Parade and shopping for over 35 years with her husband for Lions Club & Unico Santa Claus visits to the Selinsgrove State School. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader during the years her daughters were active in these groups.

Ann moved to Harrisburg, PA, with her daughter in 2018. There, she was active in lunches and Rock Steady exercise classes for people with Parkinson's, earning the title of Boxer of the Year in 2019 from her teachers.

Ann is survived by three daughters, Diane (William) Brennan (Tucson, AZ), Karen Gard, (Harrisburg, PA) and Lisa Gard (Rockaway Park, NY); a granddaughter, Ashley (Andrew Gonzales) Brennan (Phoenix, AZ); a sister-in-law, Shirley Gard; a brother-in-law, Morris Gard; several nieces and nephews; and a cousin, Dolores Chase. In addition to her parents and husband, Ann was preceded in death by two brothers, John Kovalchick and Michael Kovalchick; three brothers-in-law, Joe Gard, Nick Gard, and Jackie Voloshin; and five sisters-in-law, Anna Marie (Gard)Voloshin, Linda Gard, Cathy Gard, Mary Kovalchick, and Dorothy Kovalchick.

Ann never wanted a birthday party, but at age 94, her daughters thought it was time for one. She was celebrated by her family and extended family, including her brother-in-law & sister in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. It was a wonderful gathering, and she fully enjoyed all of it.

Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026 at noon with Father Andrew Stahmer officiating in the Church of the Holy Angels, 855 Scott St., Kulpmont. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, Elysburg. Visitation will be held in the Church on June 23rd, 2026, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Church of the Holy Angels, 855 Scott. St., Kulpmont, PA 17834, or the Mount Carmel Public Library, 30 S. Oak St., Mt. Carmel, PA 17851.  Arrangements are in care of C J Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 1053 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, PA 17834, Ashley P. Doyle, Supervisor. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com