Lydia L. (Elesorio) Covell

Lydia Luague (Elesorio) Covell, 68, of Franklin and Oil City, died Sunday, May 3, 2026, with her children by her side, following a courageous battle with stage IV gallbladder cancer.

Lydia was born in San Carlos City, Philippines, on June 13, 1957, to Antonio and Victoria P. (Luague) Elesorio. She was the third oldest of five children.

At 21 years old, while working in a beauty salon, an expat, the late Earl Covell, requested service specifically from her, which led to her first chaperoned date. Following a conversation with Lydia’s father, which involved the unintentional intimidation of sharpening a machete, Earl and Lydia had a small civil ceremony on February 14, 1980.

The couple was wed on July 7, 1990, before emigrating to the United States with their two children and settling in Franklin. She became a proud U.S. citizen on May 14, 1999, at a swearing-in ceremony at the federal courthouse in Erie. The photo from the ceremony hung prominently on the wall of the family home for many years.

Lydia worked at the Franklin Motel, and later Presbyterian Home in Oil City, as a housekeeper until she retired in 2017. She was undeniably a hard worker, receiving many awards and recognitions throughout her career, but the bonds she formed with patients and co-workers meant just as much to her.

Once described as shy by her husband, Lydia was anything but shy as she got to know you. She was incredibly warm and loving, topped off with a little stubbornness and a fair amount of bluntness. She was a force in every inch of her 4’11” frame.

Lydia took care of and supported many people during her lifetime, including family in the Philippines, helping send her nieces to school. After giving their parents a present, it was not uncommon for their children to ask where it was, only to hear that someone else “needed it more.”

If you met Lydia, you were undoubtedly treated to her amazing food. She would spend days preparing her Filipino dishes for celebrations, or any occasion she was able to treat friends and family. Her lumpia, especially, was highly requested. And, for her grandchildren, nothing else compared to Lola’s sinigang. As much as her children tried to learn her secrets, they could never quite recreate her recipe of a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Lydia was lucky to be part of an incredible Filipina community, which provided lifelong friendships and a tight-knit familial support system. They shared in all of life’s best moments and supported each other through the toughest times. This community continued to show up for Lydia through her final days, cheering her on, making her laugh, and surrounding her with comfort and love.

Lydia loved the “finer things” in life, joyfully curating collections of jewelry and fine china, as well as anything labeled Louis Vuitton. But there was nothing that made her happier or prouder than her children or being Lola to her grandchildren, whom she loved deeply.

Lydia will be forever remembered by her two children and their spouses, Steven Covell and his wife, Jessica Griswold, of Alexandria, Virginia, and Carmella Garich and her husband, Matt Garich, of Franklin, Pennsylvania; her beloved grandchildren, Rilan and Sophia Garich of Warren/Niles, Ohio, Camron Greksa and Karter Garich of Franklin, and Grayson Covell of Alexandria, Virginia; her best friend, Marilyn Droddy of Oil City, who was like a sister to her; Marichu Ecat, whom she loved as a daughter, and Breannah Leiva, whom she loved as a grandchild and who affectionately called her “Auntie,” both of Erie; her stepdaughter, Sherie’ Dickson (Jeff); her sister, Morena Torguson of Albemarle, North Carolina; her brothers, Jamie Elesorio (Linda) and Andres Elesorio of San Carlos, Philippines; her feisty dog, Stella; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and amazing friends. She is also survived by her loving caretaker, Jessica Hudak, who brought her so much comfort and companionship.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a brother, Bugoy; nieces and nephews; and her first dog, Maggie.

All are welcome to attend a visitation at Reinsel Funeral Home (116 Bissell Ave., Oil City, PA 16301) on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 4-7 PM. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery. In honor of Lydia’s love of parties, the family will host a celebration of life on her upcoming birthday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Kirtland Cancer Foundation (P.O. Box 108, Franklin, PA 16323), which provided invaluable support during a difficult time. The family would also like to thank AseraCare Hospice Care for the care they provided and for ensuring Lydia was comfortable in her final days.

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