Veronica Novak

Veronica Teresa Marie Dolan Novak was born on November 30, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York, the seventh of eight children born to Lawrence and Veronica Dolan. She grew up in an Irish Catholic neighborhood in a three-story brownstone and she attended twelve years of Catholic school. She graduated high school in January 1951. She was raised by her father, her paternal grandmother, and her two oldest sisters, as her mother died when she was 2 ½ years old. Veronica had many stories of growing up in the city, and while she enjoyed her family and friends there, she had a desire to “go out West.” The opportunity presented itself in 1952 when Veronica moved to Newcastle, Wyoming to help her sister Rosemary care for her two young sons. While at a dance at Christmastime, Veronica was introduced to John Novak Jr. Both knew they had found “the one.” They were married on April 12, 1953, thus began Veronica’s lifelong career as wife, homemaker, and stay-at-home mom. Their first child Julie arrived in January 1954, followed by Lise, John G, Peggy, Willie, and Eileen. Veronica worked at home raising their children, while her husband John worked many jobs outside the home. They complimented each other very well, in their personalities and approach to life, and supported one another through many challenges for 63 years of marriage.  

Veronica was a lifelong reader and lover of books especially history and she encouraged this in her children. She taught herself how to knit later in life and made blankets for each child and grandchild. She loved music, especially classical, traditional country, and even pop/rock enjoyed by her children. She also had an interest in gardening, especially in the yard at the Novak Ranch house out in the country. John and Veronica were able to purchase the family ranch and lived happily there for 20 years, 1993-2013. When winters became too trying, they stayed in town during the winter months but continued to spend summer and autumn months at the ranch. After John passed away in 2016, Veronica was able to live alone, for the first time in her life in her little house in town, with the help of some others, especially her son John G. Veronica moved to Mondell Heights in 2019 and the Weston County Manor in 2021.

Veronica’s spirit left her earthly body on February 2, 2024, so she could join her God and her departed family members in Heaven. She remained true to her faith all her life and never wavered, even through the trials that each of us face.  Veronica was predeceased by her husband John, her parents, 6 of her 7 siblings, her sons John G. and William Novak, and a grandson, David Gonzales.

She is survived by her sister, Rosemary Ralph, Camden, Delaware; her 4 daughters, Julie Gonzales, Laramie, Wyoming; Lise (Jim) French, Coldwater, Michigan; Peggy (Leroy) Bustos, Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Eileen Jones, Oshkosh, Wisconsin; as well as 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Newcastle, Wyoming. A rosary will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 6:00 pm. The funeral mass is to be held Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 10:00 am. Veronica will be interred at a  later date at St. Albert’s Cemetery, Four Corners, next to her husband.