ANNA M. NOVAK

Anna M. Novak, 98, of Mantua Twp., went home to her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 2, 2023. She was born on July 7, 1924, in Lamberton, PA, to the late Andrew and Anna (Quartek) Swetz, who were immigrants from Russia and Czechoslovakia.

She was proud to serve as a nurse for 45 years for the Veteran Affairs Hospitals in Brecksville, OH, Wade Park in Cleveland, OH, and Kanas City Medical Center in VA. Anna was a long-time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mantua. She enjoyed living on the Cuyahoga River at her home on Peck Road and watching her many flowers bloom she had planted all over the property. Anna loved fishing with her husband, Dick, and the grandkids. She spent very much time at Piedmont Lake, where her and Dick purchased a cabin as a summer retreat; it’s there that spent many hours fishing. Anna enjoyed puzzles and playing cards, especially "500 rummy", to which she always won! There was always time to build a fire and have a wiener roast, and at the end of every celebration, each guest would be ready for Anna to give them food to take home. She always said in times of trouble and crisis "If you have a problem you can solve, solve it. If not, put it in the hands of God and he will take care of it and you." and “Never forget: What goes around, comes around.”

Anna will be deeply missed by her children, Richard (Lynda) Novak, Jr. and Nancy Rupe; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard G. Novak, Sr.; sons, Robert Novak and Thomas Novak, 8 siblings.

Per Anna's wishes, she is to be cremated. There will be a private graveside service, where she will be buried at Westlawn Cemetery, in Mantua, OH, beside her beloved husband. Care for Anna was entrusted to Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8382 Center St., Garrettsville, OH 44231.

Donations would be graciously accepted by the Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department, 10303 St. Rte. 44, Mantua, OH 44255, in Anna’s name, to honor her memory.

Please continue to read the letters from her grandchildren:

I’ve been searching for the words all morning.
It is with a heavy heart I say Grandma took her last breath today. Although, for a very long time I thought that woman was immortal. She was one of the most influential women in my life. A true energetic soul, full of love and fire. She was an old Pennsylvania farmer and it was obvious because she was tough. The daughter of two immigrants, she lived through the Great Depression. She got tuberculosis when there wasn’t a cure, but because of her stubborn nature to live she was discharged from the TB hospital. She was a nurse who took care of veterans all of her adult life. She was the reason I decided to pursue nursing as well.
I have so many fond memories with grandma. Fishing at the old property, weekends at their creepy old cabin on the lake. Peppy the dog and her house full of wonders and so much stuff. Sleepovers playing Nintendo and Sega with my cousins. The bin full of thrift store toys. Our many trips to Burger King with grandpa ending with a special visit to pick out thrift store 50 cent toys.
She had the loudest cackling laugh when we were having fun. Especially when playing with the kids or playing cards.
I can still hear her voice when I would make my weekly calls. “HI KARI!” She’d exclaim, she always knew my voice because I was her only granddaughter. And honestly, she was the only woman that wanted to be my grandma.
She always gave me the best advice as I was growing up. Being bullied because of my size, going there would always make me feel better. We’d talk and she’d tell me I was beautiful. When I graduated from high-school I made the decision to take a trip to Japan at 18, even though I’d never flown before. I remember her saying “if you have the chance to experience something, go, you won’t regret it.” My dad could have killed her that day, but she loved traveling, she was full of adventure and many stories so she encouraged me to go.
She missed my nursing pinning in college because of a bad car accident, getting admitted to the ICU with a neck fracture. I never thought she’d make it through, but she did and was discharged to live home at home. She pinned me at rehab.
As she got older, and after her accident, I would always go pick her up and take her home for family gatherings. She only lived one street over and about 10 minutes from my parent’s house, but she always insisted on paying me for gas. She knew I hated taking money from her so she would hide $20 bills in my car.
She was there for my wedding and told me I was the prettiest. I could see the sincerity in her eyes. She adored being a great grandma and loved both of my kids until the day she died. And honestly, remembered their names more than mine most of the time.
I will miss her so much, but I will remember her love and kindness until the day I die. 33 years was not enough, but I am grateful for every one. (Kari Marie Peters)

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To say a goodbye is not enough for my grandmother. She adored me and I believe had seen a lot of my grandfather in me. Grandfather served in the army in world war II and grandma was a nurse. What better of a couple to create a wonderful Father I have to this day! Can anyone believe she lived to be 98?
My grandfather Inspired me to join the Marines or the military regardless when I was younger and I needed a little kick in the ass to Mature a little sooner rather than become a dead beat. I miss this man and sure wish he got to see the man he created today! He left this world to soon but I know he looks over me to this day.
I remember so many good times with my grandma and grandpa and needless to say they both helped shape me into a good young man. My grandmother showed up to me graduating my Marine Corps boot camp graduation back in 2008. I remember the day I got my phone call home after three months and the phone was messed up. My mother and father couldn’t hear me but I could hear them! Needless to say, I didn’t foresee my grandmother showing up with a homemade pumpkin pie! For anyone who knows boot camp it was a rough time and to finally be done with it and expect something like this was almost like heaven on earth!
I’ve missed fishing with my grandma and grandpa on my mother and father’s property for a long time and do anything for one last time! Time goes way to fast and I took advantage of it…
My grandmother deserves nothing but heaven or Valhalla as us Marines consider it. She will be missed and I can’t wait to meet her on the other side with a fishing pole in my hand! (Kevin Novak)