The late Helen Jean Novak, affectionately called Jean, was born on the 21st of February, 1929, to parents, Thelma Mae and Norman Fletcher (both deceased), in Louisville, Kentucky. She was the second of 3 girls born to her parents. Both of her sisters (Norma and Jo Anne) preceded her in death. The family relocated to the state of Tennessee during the early years and she completed high school. Jean and her sister, Jo Anne, with whom she had a special bond, eventually relocated to the state of Florida, citing the warmer weather in the Sunshine state as the main reason.

While working at the former dog racing facility, Hollywood Greyhound track, then known as the Mardi Gras Casino, she met Mr. Rudolph Novak, an army veteran and a landscaper.  They worked together at the landscaping company where she was employed as a bookkeeper.  Jean and Rudi, as he was called, fell in love, developed a relationship, and subsequently got married in 1955. They lived together in Hollywood, FL, as husband and wife, for over 56 years, until Rudi’s death on May 14, 2011.  The marriage did not produce any biological children.  However, Jean and her husband shared a special love for animals, cats in particular, and treated the cats as if they were their children.  Long after her husband had passed away, Jean continued to care for the cats, as many as 7 at one point, until she was not physically able, which broke her heart.

In 2013, while living at her most recent address on Washington Street in Hollywood, she hired Ivy Shaw as her live–in caregiver, and that relationship has lasted from that time, until Jean’s passing, which was a duration of approximately 10 years. Ivy took the best care of Jean and treated her with love and attention, as if she was her own mother.  It was also evident that Jean loved Ivy dearly and the bond between them was unbreakable.  Jean was also very warm and welcoming to everyone that Ivy took to the home to meet her.  It was always a pleasure to spend time with and converse with her.  Jean’s neighbors were also a source of support for her.  Her next door neighbors shared that when they first moved into their home,  Jean was fearful of them because she had heard that they did not like cats, so she thought that there would be a conflict.  However, she soon realized that was not the case. She bonded with the neighbors and would later rely on them for assistance whenever it was needed.

As evidenced by the plethora of pictures found in her many albums, Jean appeared to have lived a full and adventurous life, even though she would often say that she did not travel beyond the borders of Broward County.  She took pleasure in sharing with those around, her enjoyable life experiences that included her hobbies.  She was an avid reader. She enjoyed baking cakes, artfully decorating them and taking pictures to showcase them.  She was a fashionista in her younger years, and kept up with the most fashionable trends while applying the most impeccable, high end make-up, to compliment her outfits.  She also enjoyed listening to music and watching TV, mainly Hallmark movies and the comedy series, Golden Girls. Jean repeatedly expressed her love for God and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.  She was served and received communion in her home, on a number of occasions, during her later years.  She enjoyed reading the Bible and listening to some of her favorite singers such as Allan Jackson and George Nooks. She was also generous to a fault.

Jean transitioned from this life at the age of 93 years old, less than 2 months short of her 94th birthday anniversary.  She slept away peacefully, during the pre-dawn hours on the morning of January 1, 2023, at a hospice facility in the city of Hollywood.  She is sadly missed by her caregiver, Ivy Shaw, her neighbors and her friends.  She had also made mention of her niece, Jennifer White, in Arlington Texas, and nephew, Norman White in Gilbert, Arizona.  May her soul rest in peace.