PAULINE MARY (LENGYEL) NOVAK

MIDDLEBURY – Pauline Mary (Lengyel) Novak, 99, died at Helen Porter Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Middlebury. She went into the loving, embracing arms of the Lord on Sept.9, 2024.

Pauline was born in Middlebury on April 24, 1925, in her home at 7 Seymour Street to the late Michael and Mary (Puha) Lengyel. The home is known as the oldest house in Middlebury.

She attended grade school and high school in Middlebury.

She married Charles (Charlie) Novak in Middlebury, Sept. 24, 1949. They remained in Middlebury and raised their four children and built their “forever home” on Boardman Street, the home Charlie always promised her.  Together they enjoyed making it their own loving creation throughout the years.

Pauline loved to design and decorate her home that she was so proud of. She was always bringing home favorite finds she had purchased to display throughout the house, and of course, there were always extra decorations to depict the four seasons and the holidays — fall being her favorite. She would always say, “Watch out Martha Stewart!” She loved her rock garden, always arranging flowers in just the right places so she could enjoy admiring them from the deck or through her kitchen window.

She loved her many years of going out dancing with her husband, Charlie. They made quite a pair on the dance floor. They were always one of the first couples to hit the floor when the music started. Deciding what she was going to wear to one of those dances started days before. Whether it was attending a holiday dance, a wedding reception or “shaking a leg” to their favorite Quartet at the Sheraton Inn, the clothes, shoes and accessories had to be just right.

They loved their day trips, which included visiting family and friends, shopping, stopping at one of their favorite places to eat, or just going for a ride and getting ice cream.

Pauline could be quite witty. She’d come out with a “zinger” when you least expected it. She loved listening to a variety of music, and you would often catch her in her house singing and dancing to the tunes. One of her favorite crooners was Frank Sinatra singing “Moonlight in Vermont.” Watching Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons and the Hallmark Channel was a must. She loved all the episodes because they were wholesome. Many of the story lines in Little House on the Prairie and the Waltons took her back to her years growing up on 7 Seymour Street with her family. Things were very sparse during those years, but they were thankful for what they had.

She loved growing up in Middlebury but, as time went on, she could see things changing. She would often say, “Middlebury is not the same.” “It’s not our town anymore.” “Aliens have taken it over.” Pauline loved babies, anything that displayed hearts, and her favorite color was lavender. She loved a dinner of good pan-seared sea scallops, poached eggs for breakfast and a soft fresh yummy powdered jelly or cider doughnut any time of the day. When Pauline would choose special occasion cards for family and friends, the wording in the card had to be just right for the person that was receiving it. In turn, Pauline loved receiving cards, always taking time to admire the card’s design and written verse.

She loved to read and would say, “If you can’t read, you’re dead!” She was very proud of her spelling skills, winning a spelling bee in the third grade. The prize was five dollars. Back then, it was like winning a million bucks. She didn’t keep the five dollars. Instead, she gave the money to her mother knowing it would help her parents provide a bit more for the family. She taught her grandson Steven how to read at a very early age. He caught on quicky. His reading, writing and grammar skills to this day are impeccable. It always made her very proud to know she played a big part in teaching him those skills. She had a very strong Catholic belief and cherished the Lord.

She had a heart of gold that was filled with so much compassion. She always started off her mornings with prayers, asking the Lord to watch over her family, friends and many others. Requesting He keep them safe and free from ill health and despair throughout their lives.

She was a wonderful, understanding, caring, giving and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was very proud of her family. We always knew we could depend on her and confide in her throughout our lives. She listened with an open ear and a warm loving heart, always giving us a great deal of sound advice. For instance, if we were in a situation where something was troubling us, she would often refer to the song written by the Beatles, “Let it Be.” “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary (which is her middle name) comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.” She would also tell us to have faith, think positive and things would work out and they did. Another particular piece of advice was always a given from her, “Make sure you eat something and get your rest.” “It’s very important!”  That was our mom.

After the passing of her husband, Charlie, Pauline received a phone call from Mario, an old acquaintance. They first met while they were in their late teens. He was a Navel Cadet at the time, being lodged/stationed at Middlebury College. He and another Cadet were walking down the sidewalk behind the old Middlebury Grade School. Pauline was sitting on the swings (which are still there!) with a friend. Mario and the other Cadet struck up a conversation with them. Mario and Pauline dated for a year while he was stationed in Middlebury. They had wonderful times together attending many formal dances held at Middlebury College, did a great deal of Jitterbugging and slow dancing in the living room of her home to Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra, and took many walks throughout the town of Middlebury. A first love developed between them that they never forgot. There was talk of marriage, but as fate had it, that was not meant to be. Pauline had reservations. She felt she was too young and was not ready to move away, so they went their separate ways.

But after many years they were meant to connect again because of Mario’s detective work. Mario played sleuth and tracked her down. He, too, had lost his wife. Although they were not able to travel to see one another due to health reasons, they were able to talk on speaker phone. They talked for hours on end like they were in their teens again. They talked about their families, reminiscing about the times they had together as teenagers and requesting “Alexa” to play the “Big Band” sounds in the background. Their every Thursday phone conversations lasted from 2015 until Mario passed away in the fall of 2017.

Pauline was always so thankful that Mario played detective and got in touch with her after so many years. Both not knowing how long their reunion would last, they loved and cherished every moment they had talking on the phone, and they were very thankful for the precious time they had.

Pauline was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Charles in 2009 and her oldest son, Steven Charles Novak in 1978. Also, by her five sisters, Mary Knight, Anna Walsen, Josephine Billings, Theresa Taylor and Helen Cook; and three brothers, Micheal Lengyel, Charles Lengyel and Frank Lengyel.

She is survived by her two daughters, Cheryl K. Novak of Middlebury and Karen L. Novak of Lewes, Del.; son, Brian S. Novak of Middlebury; four grandsons, Tyler C. Novak (Lea) Boulder, Color., Steven R. Novak, Jackson, Wyo.,  Jay F. Leibforth (Amanda), Laurel, Del., and Brian C. Novak, Lewes, Del.;  one great-grandson, Owen Leibforth, Laurel, Del.; one sister, Barbara Lafountain of Calais, Vt.; and several nieces and nephews.

Many thanks go out to Dr. Jessica Rouse and Val Doria, (RN, foot care) for office and home visits. Your professionalism, personal care and the compassion you displayed towards our mother was not only felt by her, it was also felt by the rest of her family. You both will always be loved and remembered for that. Thank you, Dr. Rouse, for being the wonderful down-to-earth doctor that you are. Your cheerful, wonderful, outgoing bedside manner was always spot on. You always knew just how to help Pauline relax and get her beyond the “white coat syndrome” during her appointments with you. Thank you, Val, for giving Pauline “Happy Feet” after each foot care visit you provided for her in her home and at the Porter Nursing home. She always looked forward to seeing you and loved all the visiting that went along with those appointments. You always made her day.

The family would also like to extend a great deal of gratitude and thanks to all of the staff at Addison County Home Health & Hospice, Helen Porter Medical Center and Helen Porter Nursing Home for the wonderful care, compassion and empathy that you provided Pauline throughout the past years. It will always be very much appreciated. You are very special people.

A big thank you also goes out to Deloris Walton, Pauline’s hair stylist for the past 45-plus years. Pauline would always say, “Deloris and I go back a long way.” Throughout those years it developed into a very close, caring and loving friendship that Pauline held close to her heart. Thank you, Deloris, for giving Pauline 45-plus years of a wonderful relationship between the two of you and also making it a point to always stop and visit her in the nursing home. She loved and cherished you so much.

Also, a shout-out of thanks goes to Steve Billings, Pauline’s nephew and his wife, Linda. Throughout the past eight-plus years, Steve and Linda made it a point to visit her many times, often bringing flower arrangements designed from Linda’s beautiful gardens and her wonderful homemade foods, whether it be for a lunch, holiday gathering or to celebrate her birthday. Aunt Pauline loved your visits and thoughtfulness, but most of all, she loved the both of you. Thank you, Steve and Linda. You gave her some very wonderful and special memories that she always talked about.

Throughout our childhood years our mother would read to us before we went to bed. After she would read to us, and just before she turned out the lights, she would say to us, “Dream of some angels in heaven.” Mom, now it’s time for you to be with Dad, Steve, Mario and the rest of your family, including the angels in heaven. You don’t have to say you miss them anymore. You are now at peace together with them in the Lord’s eternal light. We love you and thank you for your unconditional love. You will forever be missed until, we too, are together again. God Bless you.

There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Middlebury on Friday, Sept. 13, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Brandon Schneider officiating. The gravesite committal service and burial will follow the Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Middlebury.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Sanderson Funeral Home, 117 South Main Street, Middlebury, Vermont 05753

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Helen Porter Rehabilitation and Nursing Home, Addison County Home Health and Hospice, or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Middlebury. ◊