Christine Kavolak Beros
Christine “Chris” Kavolak Beros, of Washington, died peacefully Thursday, January 10, 2019, with her husband by her side, in UPMC Shadyside Hospital, at the age of 62.
Chris is survived by husband, Jim “J.B.” Beros; children, Alexis (Bryan) Corkery and Taylor (Brandon) Charriere; granddaughters, Reagan Corkery and Chloe Charriere; a brother, Larry (Kathie) Kavolak; and a sister, Carol (John) Williamson.
A blonde, Polish woman, Chris was born January 23, 1956, to Sue and Carl Kavolak of Washington.
She graduated from Trinity Area High School in 1973, and also from CCAC Nursing Program and California University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She worked as an RN and other capacities within the St. Clair, Canonsburg and Washington Hospital systems for 30 years. She spent the last five years of her career as a school nurse and LPRN instructor at Western Area Career and Technology Center.
She married Jim Beros, her best friend, in 1982. The constant argument in the household was, “who loves the other the most.” She prayed over her garden for five long years before being able to start her family. She called her children her “miracle babies.” Her family remembers her as the most genuine and positive woman. Her smile was contagious. She was the family’s glue and a proud “Polak.”
She was a devoted caretaker to her parents while they battled Alzheimer’s and, until her passing, she remained an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association and Captain of team “Grandma’s Guardian Angels.” After her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in 2015, she immediately became involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Through this network, she gained lifelong friendships that helped her through her journey this last five years, allowing herself to say she was “a survivor.”
Anyone who knows Chris, will say they remember her as the most faithful and humble fighter. They will say she was “their sunshine.”
Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, January 14, in St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church, Washington, with the Rev. Michael Peck as celebrant. Entombment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at www.alzfdn.org. Online condolences may be expressed at www.piattandbarnhillfh.com. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor and Lawrence K. Donovan, Director.