Mary Terese Novak

Mary Terese Novak (nee Sawczyn), age 70, of Avon Lake and formerly of Strongsville, Ohio passed away Saturday, January 27, 2024. She was born January 31, 1953, in Lorain, Ohio to the late Harry and Marian (nee Hach) Sawczyn.Mary was raised in Lorain, the oldest of five children. She attended St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church with her family and attended grade school there. Mary went on to graduate from Lorain Catholic High School in 1971 and earned both a secretarial and accounting associate degree from Lorain County Community College.While Mary met her future husband Thomas Novak in high school, they started dating after graduation and have been together ever since, marrying in 1975. Mary worked in the clerical offices of both Kmart and National City Bank for a short time before settling into a full-time role of making her house a loving, warm, and inviting home, first in Lakewood for 10 years, and then in Strongsville for 26 years. In addition to being a loving wife and mom, Mary found joy in helping others and spending time with friends. She was a volunteer at St. John Westshore’s outreach program; and she enjoyed traveling and crafting, especially quilting as a member of the Rainbow Quilters, a Strongsville based quilt group.Mary is survived by her beloved husband of almost 50 years Thomas G. Novak; loving son Gregory Schumacher-Novak (Emily); beloved grandsons Jacob, Benjamin, and Levi; dear siblings Jean Eakin (Michael), Doris Peters (Michael), Ellen Reith (William), Charles Sawczyn (Lucy) and sister-in-law Cindy Wright (Colin); and many nieces and nephews.Memorial contributions in Mary’s honor are suggested to Catholic Charities Corp 1404 E. Ninth St., Ste. 800, Cleveland, OH 44114; Hospice of the Western Reserve, PO Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192 or Holy Spirit Parish, 410 Lear Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012.Family will receive friends on Monday, February 5, 2024, from 4:00 – 7:00pm with a Rosary Service at 7:00pm at Busch Funeral Home, 163 Avon Belden Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012. Prayers will be Tuesday, February 6th at 10:00am at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 6th at 10:30am at Holy Spirit Church, 410 Lear Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, OH. www.buschcares.com 440-933-3202