View
a video in
memory of Catherine
HOME ~ REUNION
HISTORY ~
FAMILIES ~ PICTURES ~ MEMORIAM ~
NEWSLETTER ~ CONTACT US
The
FAMILY
REUNION
History of
Catherine Novak-O'Hara
February 1, 1961 to February 14, 2011
View
a video in
memory of Catherine
Catherine NOVAK was
born on February 1, 1961 in Upland, CA at San Antonio Hospital by Gordon W.
Scott MD.
to Agnes Frances PRAETORIUS and Walter Stanley NOVAK. Agnes Frances
Praetorius was born on February 8, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY and
died on May 23, 1998 at the age of 76 in Upland, CA and is buried with her
husband at Riverside National Cemetery
22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518 Section 33 Grave 418 north of Darby
Drive.
Walter Stanley Nowakowski (changed to Novak) who was born on July 8, 1922 in
Brooklyn, NY and died on February 4, 1993 at the age of 70 in Upland, CA
She is survived by her husband Patrick O'Hara of Herald, CA, son Joshua
O'Hara of San Luis Obispo, CA, son Sean O'Hara of Sacramento, CA,
oldest brother William Novak of La Palma, CA, sister Jean Bieber of Chino Hills,
CA and brother James Novak of Brea, CA.
In 1979, Catherine graduated from Alta Loma
High school in Alta Loma, CA. In 1980 she worked as a pharmacy Technician at
Gemco in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
In June 1986 she married Patrick O'Hara and together they moved from southern
California to Concord, CA where she continued to work as a pharmacy Technician
at Lucky's Pharmacy in San Leandro, CA. In October of 1987 together they bought
their first home in Herald, CA and she worked at Save-Mart Pharmacy in Stockton,
CA.
She worked as a Pharmacy Technician for over 20 years and was a proud member of
the UFCW.
Catherine's pride and joy, hopes and dreams and true devotion was dedicated to raising her two sons Joshua Martin O'Hara and Sean Patrick O'Hara. She loved her animals, of which she cared for many, mostly dogs and horses. She enjoyed western horseback riding, water skiing, snow skiing and going to theme parks and movies with her family and friends. She never had a bad word to say about anyone and was always more concerned about others than herself. She was a devout Catholic and was a member of St. Christopher's Catholic Church in Galt, CA.
Catherine wished to be cremated, she will be interred
at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Hayward, CA, which is where her husband
Patrick will then join her, when God wishes.
We and everyone who knew her will truly miss her and everything about her. But,
she has always instilled a caring, happy and loving spirit in all of us and now
her spirit will dwell within us.
The O'Hara and Novak families would like to thank everyone for their heart felt
condolences, uplifting prayers, unconditional love and lasting friendship for
Catherine.
Below are all the wonderful comments left on the Legacy.com Guest book for and about Catherine:
March 14, 2011
I will always remember my sister as a very loving and caring person along with all those family vacations we took through our school years.
Her memory will live on through her husband Pat and her sons Josh and Sean. She loved all her family and she will be missed very much.
~
Jim Novak,
Brea, California
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 04, 2011
To My Brother Pat, and Sons Josh and Sean. To Jean, Bill, Jim and families,
I am blessed to have had Cathy in my life. Her strength and kindness will
forever be the best memories I have. I will miss you Cat.
~
Diane O'Hara,
Oakland, California
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 27, 2011
We wish to offer our condolences to Pat, Josh, Sean, Jean, Bill, Jim and
families. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
~
Bill and Kris Bieber
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 25, 2011
Dear Pat, Josh, Sean, my family, and my friends,
Being her oldest brother, I can proudly boast that I have known, cherished, and
loved her a long time. I can still remember her as a baby with her long curly
blonde hair!
Since I was an avid baseball player, I remember how happy I was when she got older so that she could play on the team with me, Jean, and Jim.
I taught her to throw a ball and swing the bat, and she was pretty good at it for a girl! Growing up as the youngest child, she learned to be kind, patient, and persistent
(she got these traits from Mom!). I will miss her dearly, but I know she is now at peace with the Lord. May God bless us all and give us strength to live our lives to the fullest.
I know this is what she would want.
~
Bill Novak,
La Palma, California
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 24, 2011
Pat,
I am still in shock. I am so sorry to learn of Cat's sudden passing. I will
cherish the memories I have of growing up on Avalon St. with Cat.
Cat was wise beyond her years, and she was a great friend and confidant throughout the 'difficult high school years'! While our lives have drifted apart,
I have no doubt that Cat was a great mother, and I am happy to see she was living the life she always wanted, filled with animals, friends, family and lots of love.
My prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.
~
Sandy (Muraska) Minch,
Pahrump, Nevada
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 23, 2011
Please accept my condolences, I remember the Novak's from St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church in Alta Loma.
Jean was in my drivers education class at ALHS.
~
Henry Corrado,
Alta Loma, California
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 23, 2011
Patrick, Josh and Sean,
I am still in shock over Cathy's sudden departure and feel very sad that we will
no longer be able to enjoy her company and share a laugh.
I have very fond memories of "Jim's kid sister" while growing up and hanging around the Novak household. She was always nice, happy and smiling...
except for the times we bugged her like big brother and his friends should do! I know that she was a great mother because her legacy is reflected
in both Josh and Sean who have grown to be great young men. The love she had for Pat is also easy to see through the way she kept her home,
the things they did together, the smile Pat brought to her face and the devotion
she had for him.
Cathy will live on through the happy memories you have of her as wife and
mother. Memories allow us to grieve and eventually to live with our grief,
but the most important aspect of memories is the spiritual connection they form
with our dearly departed.
I have all of you and Cathy in my prayers.
~
Fernando Guerrucci,
Alta Loma, California
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 23, 2011
Our most sincere condolences on your loss
~
Marco and Catherine Garcia,
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 22, 2011
So very sorry to learn of Mrs. O'Hara's untimely passing. Your two wonderful sons are evidence indeed of her success as a mother and yours as a father,
Mr. O'Hara. Those of us who are Boy Scouts and Scout relatives deeply appreciate her sharing her family with us. May God hold you all close to Him,
~
Mike, Bill & Lyn Hansen
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 22, 2011
Just heard about Cat....So saddened about your loss.. She was one of my sister Sandy's best friends growing up back on Avalon Street in Alta Loma.
I will always have happy memories of her. She was a great person and I know she must have been a great Wife and Mom.
From my family to yours our deepest sympathy.
~
Laura (Muraska) Bannister,
Redlands, California
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 22, 2011
Dear Patrick, Joshua, and Sean: My family is deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Cathy. She has been a great supporter of her family.
We knew her through scouts and in the time we knew her we learned that she was an amazing and caring person. Again we are so sorry for your loss.
The Pojawis Family
~
Tammy Pojawis,
Buffalo, Minnesota
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 21, 2011
Dear Patrick, Josh, & Sean:
We were so saddened to hear of your loss. Cathy was such a staple alongside you,
whether it was a track meet, boys scout event,
church or just hanging out. We feel honored to have known her and know that she is in heaven looking down upon you. She will be greatly missed.
~
Love, The Tokunaga Family
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 21, 2011
O'Hara Family,
I wanted to send my sympathies to your family. Catherine was always a supportive
parent to me as a teacher at Arcohe.
I loved her sense of humor and parenting advice. I will remember her always.
~
Debbie Valenzona,
Elk Grove, California
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 21, 2011
Dear Patrick, Joshua, & Sean, our heartfelt condolences on your loss.
~
God Bless you. Rob & Corrine, Robby, Jared, Shannon & Amber Sealey
Clements, California
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 21, 2011
To my dear Irish friend Patrick and his family - a simple Irish wake lament,
"Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a
thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight that ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush;
Of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the soft star that shines at night. Do
not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die."
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
~
Paul Marnon and family
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 20, 2011
Dear Patrick, Joshua, Sean and Novak family,
We are so sorry for your loss. May the Lord bless you and comfort you in this
time of sorrow. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, the Jones Family, Dave, Gayla and Colby
~
Gayla Jones,
Galt, California
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 20, 2011
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. May God hold you close and comfort you and give you His peace especially during this time.
~
Erin Hunt,
Herald, California
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 20, 2011
Dear Patrick, Joshua and Sean,
We share your recent loss and are with you in spirit. Cat was a lover of all
animals, people and life.
We are saddened by her premature death, but remember her as being larger than
life.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
With love always,
Chris and Linda O'Hara-Scott
~
Linda O'Hara-Scott,
Eureka, California
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 20, 2011
To Catherine,
Catherine, Mother, Wife, and saint to all
God has taken you, we know not why
All of our endeavors seem so small
At present we can only grieve and cry
Your progeny will continue on this earth
Your loving memory still in their hearts
As your parents saw you at your birth
We will remember you as your sole departs
God will welcome you without a test
And we will miss you in future days
You special life was lived for the very best
You touched our hearts in so many ways
As the shroud unfolds the vary last crease
Catherine, our friend may you rest in peace
~
Bill Blackford,
Lodi, California
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 19, 2011
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss…our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
~
Margo Smoot,
Herald, California
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 19, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
~
Loretta Hovey,
La Verne, California
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 19, 2011
To the O'Hara and Novak Families,
To all of Catherine's family my most heartfelt condolences. I've known Catherine
since she was 5.
There is one memory of her that I would like to share. When I returned from
Vietnam
Mr. and Mrs. Novak were kind enough to invite me to dinner. Before the meal,
Catherine presented me with a menu she had written up in her own hand.
I
was deeply touched by this. I still have that menu. May God bless all of you.
~
Ken Lemmon,
Ontario, California
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 19, 2011
Dear Pat, Josh, and Sean,
We send our deepest sympathy to you and the rest of the Novak family. Our hearts
break with yours at Catherine's sudden and tragic passing.
Like you, we believe that she is in Heaven, and we pray that the peace that passes all understanding, that is, the peace of the LORD, will comfort you all.
Our love and prayers are with you. James and Rayla Voigtlander (Julie Novak's niece)
~
James & Rayla Voigtlander,
Champaign, Illinois
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 19, 2011
My deepest condolences to your family.
~
Christopher Regan,
Cumberland, Rhode Island
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 18, 2011
Our deepest condolences to your family.
~
Hadden Family,
Herald, California
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 18, 2011
Kathleen and I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the O'Hara and Novak
families.
I remember the many times that I visited the Novak family and saw Catherine's
smile.
You are in our prayers,
~
John and Kathleen Hoffman
Oceanside, California
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 18, 2011
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. She was an amazing woman who will truly be missed.
~
Ricky & Cyndi Penny,
Alta Loma, California
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 18, 2011
Cathy and Jean are like family to me so I can say ,truly, that I grieve deeply with you at Cathy's sudden and tragic death.
A brother and a sister of mine were taken before their time in much the same way,so from experience, I tell you:
I know how it hurts! From experience, I can also tell you that, though her physical presence has been cruelly taken from us,
our memories of her sweetness and her sense of humor will eventually ease the pain. I'm very sorry that I can't be with the family at the funeral,
but you will all be in my heart and mind. I send my love to all of you.
~
Billie Snedaker,
Alta Loma, California
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 18, 2011
Our sincere condolences to the O'Hara and Novak families. We could only imagine your pain
for she meant differently to all of us but we do share the same loss of a loved
one.
You are in our prayers for strength and acceptance and of course, the faith and
hope that she is in a better place than where we are now.
Perhaps the pain will never go away but hopefully with time, there would be longer spaces of peace between the moments of pain and sorrow.
We would never be the same without them, but with God's graces we can honor their memories by living our own lives the best way we can
and touch each other the way they have touched us.
~ Shirley Redublo,
Alameda, California
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 18, 2011
deepest sympathy
~
Sylvia McCutcheon,
Galt, California
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 18, 2011
Condolences extended to the family of Catherine. Catherine moved into my X-neighborhood and most probably was a classmate to
Randy Delaney who was born the same year. She probably just graduated from Jr. High the year we moved from the neighborhood.
If it wasn't for Eric Snedaker sending the obituary, I would not have known of your loss. I am truly sorry for your loss and know exactly how you feel as
Mr. Delaney passed away April 2, 2010. Their deaths will be something we won't get over so quickly, but at least we do know that they are
with Our Father in heaven and will no longer suffer the pains of which they were burdened with during their last years here on earth.
May Catherine rest in peace.
~
The Delaney Family from Avalon Street in Alta Loma.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 18, 2011
Pat, Josh and Sean...from myself and my family...for the loss of the heart of your family...our deepest sympathy.
~
Patrick Maple,
Galt, California
© 2008
- 2012 The Family Reunion ~
updated
07/04/2013
Created by:
O'Hara Net Works ~ Contact
the
Webmaster