Ann Emilie Gallucci Covey passed away peacefully on December 5,2023. She was 89 years old and had lived a life full of joyful service to others. She was devoted to her family, friends and Roman Catholic faith. All who knew her were blessed by her beautiful smile, kindness and spiritual dedication.

Ann was born on August 4, 1934, in Dunmore, Pennsylvania and grew up during the Depression in a strong Italian culture. She loved to talk about the fun that she and her sisters had when they would walk up into the hills and go blueberry picking with their mother. She graduated from Dunmore High School; during her high school years she cleaned houses and did ironing to make extra money for her family. After high school she went to work for the Bell Telephone Company for four years. In September of 1956 she married Donald Covey. They had 3 daughters, and throughout the ensuing years they lived in 7 different states due to work related moves. Ann was a homemaker who created traditions and memories through her Italian cooking. Her daughters continue these wonderful traditions in their own families. Her
commitment to the ProLife Movement was evident through her volunteer work as the Executive Director of Saint Joseph’s Helpers and the Arkansas Pregnancy Resource Center in Little Rock from 1987 to 1999. In April of 1997 she was awarded the Mary Doe Rose Award.

Ann was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is survived by her 3 daughters: Lynn Morrison ( Keith Morrison), Chris Fikes (John Fikes) and Lee Michna (Roger Michna). She has 11 grandchildren: Annie Ellerkamp-Fikes, Sarah Oelking, Austin Fikes, Blaise Michna, Terrina Odek, Margaret Powers, Lucas Michna, Ben Morrison, Nathaniel Michna, Valeria Morrison, and Samuel Morrison and 3 great grandchildren: Amelia Powers, Leia Morrison, and Ezra Odek.

Ann is preceded in death by her father, Benjamino Gallucci, her mother, Chiarafelicia Gallucci, and her sisters, Angeline Boniello, Mary Valvano, and Lucia Karwoski. She is survived by two sisters: Christine Lucas and Carmella Aten, as well as much extended family.

Ann was always full of energy that was directed at helping others. This was lived out daily by actively looking for ways to be a blessing. Ann always wondered, “How can I help”? Baking and cooking were another passion of hers. Enjoyment came from being a part of her large family and much time was spent in service to her church community. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends and her strong spiritual dedication will live on through all of us.

“Be devoted to one another in love.
Honor one another above yourselves”
Romans 12:10

The family would like to thank Chris Moraga, Lisa Robinson, the Willard Walker Hospice Home and the entire staff of Avenir Memory Care for showering our mother and our family with love and care. To the angels who visited our mother regularly, Alma Ayson, Kathleen Blessing, Aimee Oulette, and any others we didn’t know about, we ask God to bless you the way you blessed her. A special place is reserved in heaven for Sam Rackley who devoted herself to giving extraordinary care to our mother. We can never thank you enough.

The family will receive friends from 5-6:30 PM Friday, December 8, 2023 at Beard’s Chapel with a rosary following at 6:30.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Saturday, December 9, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville with Fr. Jason Tyler presiding. Interment will follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Broyles Foundation, https://broylesfoundation.org/donate/ or Arkansas Right To Life, https://artl.org/donate