Novak, Barbara Mary ‘Barbie’ Barbara M. Novak,

née Pedtke, 94, 2Jan1930 Chicago, IL - 6Feb2024 Colorado Springs, CO. Barbara was married until January 2011, then widowed. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Frank, and by two daughters: Ramona Novak and Gretchen Blanco (Al Blanco). Her two surviving daughters are Celeste Novak (Mike Mason) and Babette Novak (Dirk Matthews). Three grandchildren survive her, including Spacialle Novak (Enrique Mora). Barbara grew up in the Great Depression, one of seven Catholic siblings. She worked at Marshall Field’s and as a developing fashionista, spent many paychecks on new clothes! She was married at barely 21 and had her first child 9-1/2 months later. Barbara ensured that her kids learned gardening, attended opera and classical concerts and were introduced to unusual cuisine and travel, mirroring her own interests in life. She had a strong artistic side and created many Halloween costumes, gingerbread cookies, holiday traditions, and unique interior designs for the many houses the Novaks lived in over the years.

She was a legal secretary in her early working years. At 50, she went to college and obtained her nursing degree, the field she worked in until she was 76 years old.

Barbara was a proud, card-carrying member of Mensa. She was intensely political, a liberal-slanted Democrat. She marched in the ERA rally in Illinois in 1978 but never saw it ratified in her lifetime. She smoked for 37 years until quitting at the age of 52. She never smoked again and lived 42 more years. She outlived the length of her smoking habit as a non-smoker but did not manage to outlive sexism. Barbara was much loved and loved many. She will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association or give your time to an elderly person.