Maryann Novak

Maryann Novak, 91 years young, died peacefully at home on 9/24/2022. Maryann was born on October 30, 1930, in Chicago, IL. She attended Saint Cyril and Methodius grade school and Visitation High School on the south side of Chicago. Maryann had a short career as a telephone switchboard operator prior to marriage and family at age 20. She lived with her parents after marrying her husband Chuck and raised their son Tom there until Jane was born and they moved to a house across the alley from her parents and sister Gerry. She was a homemaker and loved to cook family meals. She was known for making Bohemian style roasted duck and pork with dumplings and cabbage. She lived in Chicago until 1989 and moved to Denver, CO to live with her daughter Jane after her dear husband Chuck died in 1988. She loved Denver and viewed it as her “renaissance”; a chance to grow and explore. Faith and family were her strong values throughout her life.  She found joy in her volunteer work as a receptionist at Christ the King church office, and with the Altar and Rosary Society. She had many friends through the church and enjoyed spending time over coffee and going to Sunday classical music concerts. Her greatest joy was her grandsons and she loved being a part of their lives. Besides being a devoted grandmother, her proudest accomplishment was graduating from the Catholic Biblical school in 1995. Her most exciting trip was to London in November 2002 with her daughter Jane, Cousin Joyce, and her daughter Jean. The plane lost an engine over the North Atlantic and was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland where a year before all the planes were grounded on 9/11.  It was an exciting unexpected overnight at the start of the trip. She loved everything British. She loved watching mysteries, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and Downton Abbey. She was an avid Jeopardy fan throughout her life and surprised family with correct answers to obscure questions even up to the day before she died. She had a quick wit and was not afraid to tell it like it is. On the day she died, she was dressed and ready for church at 4 PM but couldn’t make it to the car. She died 6 hours later in the comfort of her home just like she wanted. What a blessing!

Survivors include her two children -Thomas Novak (Cecelia) Streamwood, IL; Daughter Jane Miceli (Dennis). Four Grandsons Edmund (Krysta) and Charles (Christelle) Novak, and Michael (Iris) and Mitchell (Hollis) Miceli. Maryann was preceded in death by her husband Charles L. Novak, Sister Geraldine Havranek, Parents Lillian and Jerry Havranek.

Services will be held on Saturday, October 29 at 10am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 830 Elm Street, Denver, CO 80220. Interment will be private at a later date. Relatives and friends are welcome at a luncheon reception immediately after the mass service.

Memorial contributions are welcome in lieu of flowers. The St. Vincent De Paul Association provides financial and other assistance to needy families and individuals in the East Denver area. Donations may be sent to SVDP at 1912 Eudora St., Denver, CO 80220.

Please share your memories of Maryann and condolences with her family by signing the tribute wall.