Amy Lee (Sovak) Nese, 72, born May 9, 1944, took her final breath, peacefully, with family by her side in the early morning hours of April 12, 2017 at The Cooney Home, Helena, MT.
Amy is preceded in death by her mother and father, John and Shirley Sovak, her brother, Jack Sovak and her daughter, JoAnn.
She is survived by her beloved husband, William Nese, Sr., son, William Nese, Jr. of Helena, MT and daughter, Jean (Nese) Wright of Bath, Maine.
In life she considered her ten grandchildren, William, James and Camille Nese, Benjamin and Hannah (Amedick) Wright, Margaree, Joshua, Caleb, Samuel and Matthew Wright amongst her most prized blessings.
She is also survived by sister-in-law, Fran Sovak of Ellenville, NY and her three daughters and their families, Laura, Christine and Jennifer.
Amy grew up in a military home, with her Father John Sovak, serving for many years in the United States Army, Intelligence Division and living in a variety of places both internationally and within the United States.
Always proud of her diverse background, she was quick to say that she grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, Germany, Maryland, California and Puerto Rico.
Amy followed in her dad’s footsteps with a love of learning, attending many schools and Universities as she grew into adulthood. Skipping the 7th grade, upon graduation from High School, she attended Seton Hill College, East Stroudsburg University and spent her Junior Year of college studying at the University of Besacon, in France.
She graduated from East Stroudsburg University in 1964, with a degree in Secondary Education, which allowed her to be certified to teach French and English at the Jr. High and High School levels.
Amy married Bill Nese, Sr. December 11, 1965. Sharing life together in East Stroudsburg, PA, Bethlehem, PA and then traveling west, moved to Missoula, MT in 2001 and settled in Helena, MT in 2007. She recently celebrated 51 years of marriage to Bill, of which they both were very thankful and proud.
As a teacher, Amy spent many years teaching French and English and impacting her students both academically and spiritually. She was a very gifted teacher and saw each of her days with her students as a gift and cherished them as she did all of her days.
In thinking of Amy’s life, and Amy and Bill’s life together, one word continually comes to mind. That word is ministry.
No matter where life brought them or when, they were actively engaging in the community around them. Seeking to better the lives of others, using the resources given to them that so greatly helped them navigate the various trials and hard circumstances that life brought their way.
Always strong in her faith in God, and using her gift of compassion and care for others, Amy, along side her husband Bill served in a variety of ministries outside their family.
Some of which included, leading Marriage Encounter Retreats at St. Francis Retreat Center in Easton, PA, hosting Teen Core Care groups in their home, and involving themselves and their family in Specialized Foster Care beginning with troubled teens, moving on to infant care and ending with a three year assignment of caring for a beautiful little girl, named Gwen, who was special in many different ways.
Amy’s daughter, JoAnn, suffered the last 15 years of her life with a mental illness diagnosis that brought many days of heartbreak and tears. True to Amy’s character, she walked faithfully with her daughter throughout every day and year of her life; thus bringing her and her husband to minister faithfully to others in the Helena Community by engaging in NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) as support group facilitators and actively advocating for the continuing need for education supporting the mental health community.
In Missoula, she and Bill were part of a team that developed the Western Montana Spiritual Development Council. This helped people grow in their Spirituality. Here in Helena, for many years, they could be seen every Saturday taking Communion to people in the hospital, from their Parish, The Cathedral of Saint Helena, and bringing joy to shut INS by weekly visits and caring conversation.
Inside her home, Amy lived to serve her family and bring joy to their lives in many different ways. Playing cards, watching movies and special TV shows and preparing special snacks were all her ways of showing she loved her family with a deep, abiding and memory making love.
When I think of my mom’s life I think of the word Celebration! Amy loved to celebrate life and set apart days like holidays and birthdays, always desiring to make them special for the people involved. Handwritten notes on cards, special meals prepared, phone calls and emails to children living far away were always a priority in her life.
Two things Amy was very proud of and celebrated every year, were her 31 years of Sobriety from an Alcohol addiction, and her 9 year survival following her Lung Cancer diagnosis.
In remembrance of her life of faith and desire to give and sacrifice that life for others, her son, Bill Nese, Jr. writes “I believe as a final testament to us of her faith she, along with her God, chose the very minute of her passing. 3:16 am.” Causing us to think deeply of the verse in the Bible, God’s Word to man, John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Trusting Amy is resting peacefully with her Savior, we say Good-bye and Good-night. Loving you always and forever, our Mom, Grandmother, sister, Aunt, friend forever you will be.
Memorials in honor of Amy are suggested to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 555 Fuller Ave. Suite #3, Helena, MT 59601 or to the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St., Helena, MT 59601. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Amy.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday April 18, 2017
Anderson Stevenosn Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 19, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Immediately following the Mass
Wednesday April 19, 2017
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Burial
Wednesday April 19, 2017
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday April 18, 2017
Anderson Stevenosn Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 19, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Immediately following the Mass
Wednesday April 19, 2017
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Burial
Wednesday April 19, 2017
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Deb says
Bill and Family,
My thoughts are with you during this time of loss. I have enjoyed seeing Amy and visiting with her on her many visits to see her doctor as well as seeing her in the community. She was such a kind spirit with an extraordinary loving heart. She will be greatly missed. Until we see her again, rest in peace, Amy.
Ruhie Hill says
Bill and Family,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. What a blessing Amy will always be to me. I always appreciated her genital kind spirit. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.
Jill and Creede Caldwell says
We are certain God welcomed Amy to her eternal home with great fanfare. Amy will live in our hearts as a beautiful and loving Christian. We are blessed to have known her.
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
Amy was one of the kindest, most sincere Christian ladies we have ever known. We are better people for her friendship and Love. Rest in Peace Amy, in His Loving Arms. You will be missed.
Julie Jones says
Wanted to let everyone know the Jones’ here in Maine are praying for all of you and sending our love.
Sacha Scherrer says
Amy was such a beautiful woman with one of the warmest smiles I’ve ever seen!! Knowing that Amy is rejoicing in the presence of her Savior is bringing me such cause for celebration! I pray for the overwhelming PEACE and COMFORT of Jesus during this sacred time of mourning for your family. We Scherrers love you deeply and are honored to be lifting you in prayer.
Mario "Buddy" Nese and Family says
Prayers and Peace to my Uncle Bill and cousins. My beloved Aunt Amy is in Heaven and breathing easy and pain free. Thinking of you all.
Carol Andreoni says
Dear Bill and family, I just found out about the passing of your dear wife Amy. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carol Papi Andreoni
Carol Andreoni says
Dear Bill and Family,
I just found out about the passing of your dear wife Amy.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.
Carol Papi Andreoni
Carole Lamberti McGarry says
Dear Bill , sincere sympathy for your loss. Fond memories of you and Amy and children will always be a part of our living at Lake Valhalla. Growing up in Old Forge , graduating from high school together, and years later having you and Amy as our neighbors in E.S. was so special. My prayers are with you and your family.
harriet eitzenberger says
102 bluebell dr
harriet eitzenberger says
Dear Bill and Family,
My condolences to you on the passing of Amy into heaven, and surely that is where she is. Her obituary is beautiful. So many accomplishments since you moved from East Stroudsburg. Herm passed away 2 yrs.ago this coming May 18th. I am still in our little house and still very active at St. Matthews. Herm and I became Carmelites 10 yrs. ago. We have been blessed with 16 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. God has been good to us.
Love and Prayers,
Harriet
Phyllis says
I’m very sorry to hear of Amy’s passing. She was truly an inspiration to me in the Helena Nami Support Meetings. She always had comforting and reassuring words for our group. Rest in Peace Amy.