Surname Index
Updated: 27 Jul 2009

Daily Oklahoman, The 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 
January 17, 2009

Elizabeth "Bette" Jane Novak, 65, died on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. She was born on Christmas Eve, 1943 in Chicago, IL. She married Bill Novak in 1963, and they had five children. They moved to Oklahoma City in 1979. After raising her children, Bette went to college and earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a M.Ed. in School Administration. She began working at St. Philip Neri Catholic School--a career that would last 29 years--first as a teacher's aide, then as a teacher, and in 1990 she was named principal. She held this position until her death. In 2006 she received "The Distinguished Principal Award" from the National Catholic Education Association. She was deeply dedicated to Catholic education and to her Catholic faith throughout her life. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher and principal. Bette had a big smile and beautiful voice.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Helen Bonk and her sister, Kathie Bonk. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, William E. Novak son, Rev. William L. Novak son, James and wife Nancy Novak daughter, Ellyn and husband Jimmy Hefner son, Leonard and wife Ashley Novak and daughter Mary Elizabeth and husband Brent Cross grandchildren, Bridget, Henry, Frances, Evelyn, Charles, Harry, and William brothers, John Bonk and Thomas Bonk sisters, Barbara Schuirman, Mary Jo Duckett, Teri Moxley, and Eileen Rozborski best friend, Mary Madigan family and many friends.

There will be a Wake 7 PM Sun., Jan. 18 and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am Mon., Jan. 19, both at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Midwest City. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Philip Neri Catholic School Endowment Fund, 1107 Felix Place, Midwest City, OK 73110.