Geraldine "Gerry" Marie Novak

(nee Sebastian) Born to Eternal Life May 9, 2025 at the age of 98 years. Preceded in death by her beloved husband John; daughter Kathy; and siblings Luella Heidenreich, Donald Sebastian and Juanita Baumhuter. Loving mother of Chris Novak. Like a mother to Judy Moczydlowski and her friend Mary Wilson. Also survived by many other relatives and many friends. Gerry was born November of 1926 to Rachael and Joseph Sebastian. She grew up on the north side of Milwaukee with her 3 siblings. She was a star student and in high school she joined Turners gymnastic team. From there Indiana State heard about her and offered her a full four-year scholarship to their college. WWII now in full force, Gerry’s next door neighbor John Novak was drafted and went off to war. Two years later the war ended and John came home. Gerry never went back to school, instead she fell in love and married her next door neighbor, John. They built a house and there is where she lived for 72 years. Let me backup just a bit. Gerry was an amazing, accomplished woman of many talents. A woman of substance, integrity and determination, she lived a wonderful, long life. She ran a household while raising a family and working full time. She worked as manager of the billing department for the City Hall of Milwaukee. She was strong-willed and very intelligent. She moved her way up the ranks in a man’s field and ended up as a manager of the billing dept. That is where she retired from. Gerry and John traveled extensively throughout the US, Europe, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Some of the other travels included Jamaica and Hawaii. They owned a timeshare in Florida on Sanibel Island. Every year they would take friends and head down to Sanibel to relax and party. Her daughter Chris would say it was hard to keep up with those two. Art was always a vital part of her life. Throughout her life she would move from one venue to the next until she discovered oil painting. She traveled extensively for her art, and loved painting florals and landscapes. She studied at the Milwaukee School of Art, and under the tutelage of four famous West coast artists: Lea Myles, Buck Paulson, Gary Jenkins, and Lowell Spears. She was a long time member of the League of Milwaukee Artists. She exhibited her work at the West Bend Gallery of Fine Art, and the Charles Allis Art Museum. Also, had solo shows in several Milwaukee Area restaurants, hospitals, banks, nursing homes, and at the Hales Corners Library. She was also invited to exhibit her work in places around the West Coast with her West coast artist friends. After her husband passed away in 2006, her life took a turn. She stopped painting, socializing, and traveling. She kept in touch with her family and friends but only wanted to venture out on Holidays. At the age of 90 she started to develop dementia, this was the turning point in her life. Little by little she digressed and needed more and more help. Still living in her home at the age of 97 she had some falls that sent her into LindenCourt Memory Care Unit. There she lived for 10 months. Her passing was fast and painless. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Kathy Skuce RN mgr. at LindenCourt in New Berlin, and her team for the care and support this past year. Also a special thanks to Tiara and Brittany who were with her when she passed. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the WI Humane Society in Gerry's name would be appreciated. Visitation Friday, May 23 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at ST. ROMAN CHURCH (1810 W. Bolivar Ave., Milwaukee) followed by the celebration of Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 PM. Interment Arlington Park Cemetery. Rozga Funeral & Cremation Services Rozga-Walloch Chapel 414-281-7145