Kathleen M. Kowal, age 69, of Butler, passed away January 2, 2020 at UPMC Montefiore with her husband at her bedside.

Born April 29, 1950 in Butler, she was a daughter of Michael and Marie Nemcek Kelly; the loving wife of Michael J. Kowal; sister of Bernadette May and her husband, Joseph,, of Mechanicsburg, PA; mother of Jennifer Kowal, Erin Kowal-Downs, of Seminole, FL, and Melissa Lang and her husband, Andrew, of Pittsburgh; and grandmother of Dylan and Emma Downs and Owen Lang.

Retiring in 2016, she was a periodontal assistant for Dr. James DiPerna, of Pittsburgh, a job she adored.  In her spare time Kathleen loved exercising and socializing at the YMCA; caring for her horses, Bo and Starter; vacationing in the Outer Banks and Caribbean; and spending time with her daughters, her son-in-law Andrew, and her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

The family would also like to mention the care Kathleen received from Dr. Virginia Balderston and Dr. Jaideep Behari during the past year. We are so grateful for their compassion and expertise.

Kathleen was a kind and selfless person who was always willing to lend an ear or hand.  Her light will not be forgotten and will be carried on by those who loved her.

Services will be private per Kathleen's wishes.

Those wishing to express their condolences can make a donation to Center for Liver Diseases , UPMC Montefiore , 3459 Fifth Avenue , Pittsburgh, PA 15213, or to Central PA Horse Rescue, 100 Spanglers Rd., Lewisbury, PA 17339.