Jean Ann Novak

Novak, Jean A. nee Lamberty, passed peacefully into Eternal Life on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at the age of 77 with her daughter by her side. Jean was born November 12, 1943, the youngest child of Leonard and Bernice (Adler) Lamberty. She grew up in Middleton, Wisconsin and attended St. Bernard’s Catholic school through 8th grade and graduated from Middleton High School. She married James Novak on September 16, 1967. Her daughter, Cheryl, was born two years later. For most of her adult working life, Jean served as an administrative assistant at various companies and had close friendships wherever she worked. She was able to provide loving daycare for her grandchildren when they were younger and in her “retirement” she worked for a number of years at Subway in Lodi, WI. She was also an active member of Northridge Church in Waunakee before her health declined. Jean loved to travel and went on many trips all over the United States with friends and family. She loved music, reading, playing board games and cards (especially euchre). She treasured being a mom and a grandma and loved attending school and sporting events for her grandchildren. She prioritized family above everything and was always there when needed. Over the last twenty years, Jean battled 3 different kinds of cancer and other chronic health conditions but that didn’t stop her from doing things with family and friends until recent years. Her strength and positive attitude were an inspiration to so many. She is survived by her beloved daughter Cheryl (Novak) McGraw, son-in-law, Frank McGraw and her grandchildren, Melissa, Cole, and Garrett McGraw who were the light of her life. She is also survived by her sisters Rita Lukas and Mary McCloskey, and her brother Vernon (Yvonne) Lamberty as well as many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and a great-great-nephew. She was preceded in death by her husband James Novak, her parents Leonard and Bernice Lamberty, her brother Roland Lamberty, and nephew Dan McCloskey. Jean was a wonderful sister, mom, grandma, mother-in-law, aunt, and friend. She had a smile that could light up a room, she loved to make people laugh, and she had a wonderful sense of humor. She touched so many lives and will be missed terribly, especially by her daughter and family. We are comforted in the knowledge that she is in Heaven and reunited with those who passed before her that she loved and missed so much. The family wishes to thank the staff at Oak Ridge Living in Windsor, WI, the staff at Black Hawk Senior Living in Fort Atkinson, WI, Heartland Hospice and the My Choice Wisconsin Care Team for all of the wonderful care and kindness shown to Jean in her last months of life. A special thank you also to Dr. Erin Fouch and Dr. Barbara Stowe-Carpenter and their staff at UW Health Madison West, UW Hospital and Carbone Cancer Center for the amazing medical care Jean has received over the years. Lastly, thank you to the staff at Fort Memorial Hospital for the kindness and comfort they provided in Jean’s last hours. A memorial gathering to celebrate Jean’s life will be held at a later date.