Mary Catherine Novak

Mary Catherine Novak, 94, of Danbury, passed away on April 5, 2025. Mary Catherine was born to Julius and Olga Marie Smith on November 7, 1930. She married Jerome Henry Novak on December 2, 1950 in Danbury. They were married for 71 years.

Mary Catherine attended Southwest Business University in Houston after graduating from Danbury High School in 1949. Mary Catherine was a rice farmer and rancher’s wife. At the age of 57 she started working for Angleton Independent School District at the middle school cafeteria and retired in 1995. She was an active member of Lady’s American Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA). Anyone who knew her appreciated her love and passion for Brahman cattle. In 2015, the ABBA dedicated the international Brahman Show to her and her husband Henry and in 2019, the ABBA dedicated the National F1 Female Sale to the couple for their longtime devotion to the Brahman breed.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerome Henry Novak as well as her parents, Julius and Olga Marie Smith.

Mary Catherine Novak is survived by sons, Larry Novak (Janell) and Terry Novak (Lorie), grandchildren, Samantha Deckert (Daniel), Heath Novak (Christy), Torie Hodder (Sean), and Kristy Myers (Stratton), and 10 great-grandchildren. Death takes the body, God takes the soul, Our mind holds the memories, our hearts keep the love, Our faith lets us know we will meet again.

Visitation will be on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm with Rosary beginning at 6:30 pm at Palms Funeral Home in Angleton. Funeral Mass will be on Friday, April 11, 2025 beginning at 10:00 am at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Danbury. Burial will follow at Danbury Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Jerome Henry and Mary Catherine Novak Memorial Scholarship, Texas Junior Brahman Association, P.O. Box 26, Campbellton, TX 78008.