Ashley Kertes, wife of Westmoreland commissioner, dead at 36

Ashley Kertes, the 36-year-old wife of Westmoreland County Commissioner Sean Kertes, died unexpectedly Friday morning.

Greensburg Mayor Robb Bell said police were called to Kertes’ home shortly before 7:30 a.m., where she was found unresponsive in bed.

No foul play is suspected. The cause of her death has not been disclosed, officials said.

“It is so profoundly sad. Ashley is one of the most talented and brightest stars in the city,” Bell said.

Kertes worked as the associate administrator to the superintendent and community outreach in the Greensburg Salem School District. She previously worked for four years as the executive director of the Greensburg Community Development Corporation and at the courthouse in Westmoreland County’s fiscal department and Controller’s Office.

Kertes is the daughter of North Huntingdon District Judge Wayne Gongaware. Her mother works at the courthouse as a court assistant.

Word of Ashley Kertes’ death spread quickly Friday.

“She was an angel, a beautiful woman. Everybody who met her liked her,” said county Controller Jeffrey Balzer. “She is what you hope your daughter will grow up to be.”

Greensburg Salem Superintendent Ken Bissell said the school district is grieving her loss.

“Ashley is a beautiful, kind and caring person who did so much in such a short time with Greensburg Salem. We are deeply saddened,” Bissell said.

Kertes spoke to a crowd of several hundred who attended her husband’s political fundraiser Thursday night at Rizzo’s Malabar Inn in Crabtree, Balzer said.

“She got up in front of the room and introduced everybody,” Balzer said.

While working for the city’s nonprofit development agency, Kertes headed the creation of several initiatives including the covid-19 Relief Main Street Jump-Start Program, which aimed to help small businesses in the city struggling because of the pandemic. She also spearheaded Greensburg Restaurant Week events and the Hometown Hero Banner and Celebration programs.

In an interview last year with the Tribune-Review, Kertes said the jump-start program was among her proudest accomplishments.

“It not only helped them bounce back from covid, but it helped them sustain their business for the future,” Kertes said.

She and her husband married in 2017. They have no children.