Mercedes Haber-Kovach Obituary

Many of us have heard of the American dream, yet few of us have actually lived it. Our beloved wife, mother, abuela, daughter, sister and aunt, Mercedes Alina Haber-Kovach, embodied that American dream and will be greatly missed. She passed away from a battle with colorectal cancer, which had lasted the better part of three-and-a-half years, and succumbed on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 at the age of 62.
Mercedes Alina was gregarious and knew no strangers. She enjoyed spontaneous conversations with passerby who saw her working in her garden, asked for tips developing a green thumb and made friends just as easily in the checkout line at the grocery store. She will be missed by many in the Naperville, Illinois community where she and her husband, Thomas James Kovach, raised their family. Surviving family includes husband, Thomas, children Brandon Thomas, David Anthony and wife Katie, and Jared Alexander and partner Samantha, and grandchildren Mason and James. Her Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations were legend, drawing in extended family and creating many fond memories for her children. Mercedes Alina started many of these traditions that her children continue, such as finding the most oversized Christmas tree to cut down and put on top of their undersized 80s sports car. Her life here in the USA was far afield from where she was born.
Mercedes Alina was from Cueto, Cuba, in the province of Holguin, and was born on Nov. 8, 1959. With her parents and three siblings, she fled communist Cuba in search of freedom in the United States. Her family settled in the small farm town of Plymouth, Indiana, which embraced the Habers with enthusiasm. After growing up and graduating from Plymouth High School, Mercedes Alina attended Purdue University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Health Physics. She worked professionally spanning more than thirty years at Commonwealth Edison, Arthur Andersen, and Baird & Warner.
Her robust professional life allowed her to continuously improve her business skills. She received her MBA from the University of Chicago in 1992 and was highly regarded in the community. This led to Mercedes Alina opening her own consulting business, which helped nonprofit and government organizations improve support to those they serve. Mercedes Alina served on the boards of the VanderCook College of Music and Smart Love Family Services as well as being a member of the Naperville Housing Advisory Commission. She was a principled change agent who stepped up to act in a manner consistent with her convictions, including efforts to mentor less advantaged students pursue higher education and to help special needs children access services through their schools. Mercedes Alina was a fierce proponent for those who were unable to defend themselves. Becoming educated, raising her family, and working in a country founded upon democratic principles fulfilled her American dream.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: American Cancer Society, DuPage County Habitat for Humanity, Smart Love or Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.
A memorial visitation will be held Monday, May 1, 2023, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. CST at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville.
Family and friends will meet Tuesday, May 2, to celebrate an 11 a.m. CST Mass of Christian Burial at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville.
Interment will be private
For more information, please visit www.friedrich-jones.com or call 630-355-0213.