Mary G. Novak, age 75, of Iola, passed away Friday morning, February 3, 2017 at the Atrium Post Acute Care facility in Whiting, WI after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mary was born on July 6, 1941 in Strongstown, PA to Ben and Minnie (Burt) Ober. After graduating from Penns Manor High School, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as a secretary in the FAA. Her other work experience included a position in the FAA in Holyoke, MA and at the Army Proving Grounds in Sandusky, OH. After a hiatus from employment, she returned to the work force as a Physical Therapy Assistant at the Indiana Hospital, a position from which she retired after more than 17 years.
On October 28, 1961, she married her high school sweetheart, Frank Novak. The happy couple resided for most of their years in their home in Penn Run, PA, until Frank’s untimely death on December 10, 1994. After her retirement, Mary moved to Wisconsin to enjoy the beauty of the area and to spend more time with her daughter.
Mary took part in a variety of the joys in life: her musical tastes/endeavors included listening to classical music, playing the clarinet, singing in choir, and making her daughter practice the piano. She was a wonderful seamstress who made clothes for herself and her family. Her baking skills won her numerous awards at the county fairs over the years. She took great pride in her home and her family, and more than anything, she loved to laugh and to bring laughter to others.
She is survived by her only child, Ann Marie Novak. 4 sisters: Loretta (Don) McLaughlin; Mae Lapane; Donna (Gary) Owens; and Nancy (Edwin) Gaston. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and 2 sisters: Evelyn Stevens and Helen Ober.
Visitation will be Friday morning February 10th at 10 AM at the Church of the Resurrection, Heilwood. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at eleven o’clock following the visitation hour at church. Rev. George Saletrick, Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery at Cameron’s Bottom.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Aber Suzuki Center at: https://abersuzukicenter.wildapricot.org/Donate-Now
