Judith (Kibler) Novachek

Judy Novachek, 87, passed away on 2/15/21 due to complications with dementia.
 
Judy was born and raised in the Akron Kenmore area. She graduated from St Mary’s High School and then went on to work as a medical secretary until her marriage to Mike in 1957. She then became the”best mom ever” to 5 kids. Eventually, she returned to the workforce as a part-time medical secretary before finding a wonderful job in the Manchester School District from which she retired.
 
You can’t talk about Judy without mentioning Mike. They were an amazing duo. Married for 60 years before Mike passed away, if you saw one then the other was usually nearby. That is how Judy and Mike were, they loved to be – “together” – which is why even though we are sad our mom has passed away, we are consoled by knowing the two are together again.
 
After beginning their married life in Firestone Park, Judy and Mike moved out to the Portage Lakes area in 1973. They were members of St Francis de Sales Church. They enjoyed going to the Manchester football and basketball games. They loved to polka dance and were always one of the most graceful couples on the floor, whether it be at the Polka Jams at Wolter Park, polka parties around the area or weekend bus trips they ventured on. Never losing sight of their roots, they involved themselves in the Jednota Club volunteering to serve spaghetti dinners once a month along with Friday night fish dinners during Lent. They enjoyed the Firestone Park Prime-timers and working out at the Portage Lakes Fitness Center where they had many wonderful friends.
 
Boating as a family was a big part of their lives. Judy was the first in the family to get up on water skis! She and Mike later got a place at Seneca Lake, where the whole family (and friends) enjoyed many wonderful years skiing and tooling around the lake on their pontoon. Although Judy and Mike retired their water skis at age 75, they continued to enjoy many sunrises, walks and sunsets together. 
 
Judy was amazing at making wonderful memories for birthdays and holidays for the family. She loved her grandchildren and was blessed to get to know great grandchildren also.
 
Preceded in death by her husband Mike, grandson Matthew Fendenheim and sisters Janet Kovacs and Nikki Hill, she leaves behind her “kids”: Lynn (Roger) Fendenheim, Chelle (Paul) Calderone, Mike (Michele) Novachek, Joanne (Mark) Chapman, Kathleen (Jerry) Johnson; grandchildren Audri (DJ) Cochran, Kellie (Jason) Mcle, Erik (Meredith) Fendenheim, Theresa (Brad) Harris, Suzie (Dave) Biggs, Paul Calderone, Chris Calderone (Mat Haney), Michael Novachek, Amber (Travis) Lehman, and Daniel Johnson;  10 great grandchildren; brother Tim Kibler and sister in law Helen Lizak. 
 
Dementia may have stolen our mom from us, but it did not steal her spirit. She was so loved and endured a lot, especially during these last few months of the pandemic. This in no way defines the amazing person she was and a "life well lived." God bless you Mom.

 A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 10:30 am at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 4019 Manchester Rd., Akron OH 44319.  Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.  Masks and Social Distancing are required.  The Mass will be live streamed at Facebook.com/anthonyfuneralhomes.   Donations may be made to the Akron Police Department K-9 unit, 217 S. High St., Akron OH 44308.

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