Ruth K. Hlavaty

Ruth K. Hlavaty, age 92, died on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, in Charlotte, NC. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on April 22, 1931, she was the daughter of the late George and Katherine (Laszlo) Bockoras, and the sister of the late George Bockoras. A graduate of Homestead High School, Ruth had very fond memories of playing trumpet in the band at football games. Before raising her children and caring for her mother and mother-in-law, Ruth had a successful career as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone and Mellon Institute, now part of Carnegie Mellon University.

Ruth was the loving wife of the late Elmer J. Hlavaty for 46 years. She is survived by daughter Susan Kowadlo and husband Keith of Charlotte, NC, grand-daughter Lauren Yelverton and husband Phillip of Durham, NC, and grand-daughter Rachel Kowadlo of Wilmington, NC. Ruth is also survived by daughter Christine Beveridge and husband Bruce, grand-daughter Katharine Vu-Duc and husband Daniel, all of Ijamsville, MD, and grand-son Matthew Beveridge of Boston, MA. Ruth and Elmer Hlavaty were predeceased by their infant daughter Cynthia. Her sister-in-law Florence Bockoras and niece Kathie (Bob) Roush of Columbus, Ohio and nieces and a nephew in the Pittsburgh area also survive her.

Ruth was a member of the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Homestead, PA for many years and was a member of the choir. She attended the Providence Presbyterian Church while in Charlotte, NC. Ruth was creative and was quite a stylish dresser. She loved to craft, sew, garden, bake, and enjoyed Junction Pizza and any type of dessert. Her aversion to chicken was well-known and the source of a lot of humor. An ardent Steelers fan, she loved to make small bets with the Baltimore Ravens fans in the family.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at both Sunrise Assisted Living and Hospice for their loving care of Ruth.

Should you wish to donate in her memory, Ruth supported the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Homestead, PA (1836 Timothy Dr., West Mifflin, PA 15122), or please support your local Hospice.