Stella Koszewski Novak
Stella Koszewski Novak, 87, of Brownsville, Pa., died Saturday, April, 21, 2007. She was born on January 15, 1920, daughter of the late Filip and Mary Rysz Koszewski.
She was a life long resident of Brownsville, Pa., until 2005 when she moved to New Jersey to be near her daughter.
Stella graduated from Brownsville High School in 1937, attended Uniontown Business College in 1946, and graduated from Frederic Mason Beauty School of Uniontown in 1952.
She served two years in the Women’s Marine Corps during World War II and achieved the rank of Corporal. While in the Unites States Marine Corps, she attended classes at Hunter’s College, N.Y.
Until her death, she was a member of the American Legion Kramer Axton Post 295 of Brownsville, Pa.
After World War II, and before she married Thomas Novak in 1949, Stella was co-owner of Barker’s Restaurant at the foot of Front Street in Brownsville, Pa. From 1959 until her retirement in 1985, Stella worked for Brownsville General Hospital where, for the last 20 years of her employment, she was the credit and collection manager.
Stella attended Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church of Brownsville, Pa., and was an active member of the Christian Mother’s Society.
She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Novak, sisters, Wanda Bilsky and Helen Kasuda, and brother, Bernard Kosevsky.
She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Novak and her husband, James Stekas of Murray Hill, N.J.; sons: Thomas Novak and his wife, Deborah Novak of Blacksburg, Va.; daughter, Mary Ann Novak of Owings Mills, Md.; four grandchildren: Matthew and Gregory Novak, Barbara and Nicholas Stekas; sister, Agatha Gnus of Labelle, Pa.; several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park Street, Brownsville, Pa., on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., and Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m., where a Prayer Service will be held on Saturday at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m., in the Historic Church of Saint Peter Brownsville, Pa., with the Rev. Father Vince Gigliotti as Celebrant.
Entombment will be in the LaFayette Memorial Park with full military rites accorded by the American Legion Post 295, 940, 275 and 838.
Parish Rosary will be recited on Friday at 3 p.m.