Obituary of Judith Novak

Judith A. Novak Novak, Judith A. NISKAYUNA Judith A. Novak of Rowe Rd., 68, died November 18, 2008 at Ellis Hospital after a two-year battle with brain cancer. Judith was born in Jersey City, N.J., the daughter of Ruth and Max Atran. She attended Brandeis University where she was a dean's list student and graduated with honors in history from New York University. In addition to her B.A. degree, she received a PHT (putting hubby through) from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University where her husband attended medical school. She and Michael married in November 1960. Judith is survived by her beloved husband, Michael P. Novak, M.D.; sons, Kenneth David Novak, M.D. (Ellen Novak, M.D.) of Clinton, N.Y., Jeffrey S. Novak, M.D. (Michelle Novak, M.D.) of Melville, N.Y. and Jennifer Jolie (Michael Jolie, M.D.) of Upton, Mass. She is also survived by her mother, Ruth Atran of Lake Worth, Fla. and a sister, Diane Fischer of Teaneck, N.J. In addition, she is survived by six grandchildren including Emma Rachel Novak and Sylvie Rebecca Novak of Clinton, N.Y., Marc Joseph Novak and Lauren Elisabeth Novak of Melville, N.Y. and Erika Lynne Jolie and Danielle Lucienne Jolie of Upton, Mass. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Leslie Anne Novak; her nephew, Stephen Goldberger of Brooklyn, N.Y. and her niece, Amy Goldberger of San Francisco, Calif. She was predeceased by her father, Max Atran. She was the beloved daughter-in-law of Sylvia and Leon Novak of Schenectady, N.Y. In addition to being Michael's office manager for close to 40 years, Judy was actively involved in two literature groups, a regular bridge player and avid tennis player, theater goer, art history lover, avid reader and concert goer, especially chamber music. In 2003, Judy, with her usual courage and determination, chose to have a 14-hour surgery procedure to correct a severe scoliosis which had progressively limited her life scope and successfully corrected the problem that limited her physical abilities and enabled her to return to full, useful life. She happily rejoined her many friends and now will be sorely missed by all. Services at Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue, Schenectady, N.Y. on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that memorial contributions be made to Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center, Box 3624, Durham, N.C. The period of mourning will be observed at the Novak residence, 1345 Rowe Road in Niskayuna, NY on Thursday following the service of interment and commencing again on Saturday and Sunday evenings, November 22 and 23