Rose Novak Obituary

Rose Susannah Novak, age eighty-eight, died peacefully February 4, 2008 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, IL. Rose was born July 28, 1919 in London, England to the late Alfred and Emily Radron. Rose met Michael George Novak while he was stationed with the U. S. Army in Bungay, England during World War II. They were married on April 4, 1945 in London. After the war, they settled in the family home built by Michael at 221 Grant Street in Downers Grove and raised their three daughters. They moved to Margate, FL in 1969. Michael died in Florida at age fifty-eight and Rose returned to Downers Grove. Rose dearly missed England, her beloved homeland, but home was now with her children in the USA. Rose was devoted to her family and sacrificed much throughout her life for the benefit of her children. She was a voracious reader and loved a lively, controversial discussion. She was a volunteer reading tutor at Hillcrest School and a Scrabble whiz. Rose authored Rosie's Ramblings weekly for the Suburban Graphic Newspaper in the 1960s and later worked for the Miami Herald while in Florida. Rose's bright blue eyes, British wit and joyful laughter will be treasured and missed by all who knew and loved her. Rose was the loving mother of Laura Novak of Sebastopol, CA, Lon (Robert) Smith of Flowermound, TX and Linda (Richard) Marvil of Glen Ellyn, IL. She was the proud grandmother of Jamie Novak, Miles Novak, Angela Massion, Robert Smith, Michael (Casey) Smith, Rose Smith, Lisa (William) Schmitz, Mark (Hollee) Hemza, Lara (Michael) Muersch, Susanne Marvil and Deborah (Scott) Bonzell. Robert Devine, Meghan Schmitz, Matthew Schmitz, Ethan Schmitz, Nathan Muersch, Emma Rose Muersch, Dustdin Guthrie, Zack Bonzell, Casey Bonzell and Cameron Bonzell were blessed to be the great-grandchildren of Grandma Rose and a great comfort to her. A memorial service to celebrate Rose's life will be held 3 pm on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Harvest Bible Chapel, 1805 Highpoint Drive, Naperville, IL. 630.281.4800. Memorial donations may be made to Smile Train, the world's leading cleft charity, at smiletrain.org. or Smile Train, 245 Fifth Ave., Suite 2201, New York, NY, 10016.