Mary Helen Novak, age 95 of Traverse City, MI, passed away May 5, 2021 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. Mary was born September 15, 1925 to John and Helen (Osie) Schettek in Maple City. She was the youngest of 10 children.

She married Peter Novak on September 28, 1946 at St. Rita's Church in Maple City. Together they shared 64 wonderful years with their family and friends. Peter preceded her in death in 2011.

Mary was a devoted, faithful member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for 74 years, where she served on the funeral luncheon committee for over 40 years. For many years she worked as a nurse's aide at the Traverse City State Hospital, where she cared for her patients with compassion and gentleness.

Later on, she was employed at Essex Wire and Chef Pierre in Traverse City. She received such joy and fulfillment from being a homemaker. She was an excellent cook and anyone who visited was always offered a delicious meal or snack. Family and friends were always amazed by the quality and quantity of food she served. She also enjoyed planting and caring for her beautiful flower gardens.

Family was extremely important to Mary and she happily devoted her life to all of them. She was a great listener and always provided encouragement and love in their lives. She enjoyed conversing with family and friends and keeping up with the latest news. She was always a source of knowledge and information and someone you'd turn to for advice.
Mary enjoyed playing board and card games with her family and friends. She will always be remembered for her friendliness, generosity and kindness to others. Mary will be missed by many. Mary made the world a better place by the way she lived her life.

Mary is survived by her children Daniel (Luci) of Lafayette Indiana, Gary (Gayle) of Traverse City, John of Huntington Beach, California, Mark (Barb) of Traverse City and Loren (Shannon) of Lafayette Indiana. She is survived by five grandchildren, Scott, Troy, Michael, Natalie, and Nathan; two great-grandchildren KC and Leah; three great-great grandchildren, Paige, Laila and Cayli; also many nieces and nephews and friends.
In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her parents, John and Helen (Osie) Schettek; by her son Duane; sisters Veronica Levenske, Lillian Peplinski, Josephine Lewis, Genevieve Peplinski, and Tackla Schettek; Mary's brothers, Alex, Paul, John and Cletus Schettek. The family would like to thank the staff at Grand Traverse Pavilions for their care for Mary, especially the loving care and kindness that Amelia and Mackenzie always extended to her.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 13 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Traverse City. Interment will follow in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Visiting hours will take place one hour prior to Mass, and frtom 5-7 PM, on Wednesday, May 12, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Father Fred Foundation, or to Grand Traverse Pavilions.