Mary Lou Novy Obituary (1927 - 2025)

Mary Lou (Garth Latham) Novy, 97, of Cabot, PA (formerly of Northbrook, IL and Bloomington, IN) went to be with her Lord, Sunday, March 2, 2025, while under the care of Concordia Cabot. She was born April 2, 1927, in Stanhope, Iowa, daughter of Harold and Hallie (Smith) Garth. Mary Lou graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Household Equipment. While at Iowa State she was active in the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, of which she served as president of her chapter. Upon graduation she worked for Maytag in Newton, IA, where she met Paul W. Latham, whom she married on Sept. 2, 1949. He died in combat during the Korean War in 1951. After travelling in Europe in the fall of 1952, Mary Lou returned to work for Maytag where she met Russell F. Novy – they were married on May 15, 1954. In 1955 they moved to Northbrook, IL where they raised their family. After years of raising her three daughters, she began working at the Northbrook Public Library, where she stayed for 25 years. Mary Lou was a long-time member of The Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook, where she served as elder/clerk of Session, bell choir member, Sunday School superintendent, and Bible study leader. Her commitment to education was evident throughout her life: she was a 72-year member of P.E.O. and active in her local chapters in Northbrook and Bloomington, and she also served on the District 28 school board, acting for a time as president. She could often be found working puzzles of all kinds, and there was always a stack of books to read by her chair. She enjoyed sports - golfing and bowling in leagues throughout the years and watching college basketball, especially teams that featured hometown players. Mary Lou and Russ loved to travel and visited many places around the world, passing on the travel bug to their daughters and granddaughters. Mary Lou is survived by her daughters Susan (Bernard) Bell, Carol Novy, and Mary Beth Novy; granddaughters Hallie and Addie Schmucker; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Russell F. Novy, and brothers Richard L. Garth and Chet H. Garth. A memorial service will be held at a future date at the Village Church of Northbrook. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Chicago Botanic Garden: online at https://chicagobotanic.org/donate/tribute (select Tribute Donations) or by mail: Chicago Botanic Garden, Attn: Gina, Tributes, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 – memo line: Mary Lou Novy; or P.E.O. - https://www.peointernational.org/make-a- gift/#donate. Arrangements entrusted to Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 E. North Street, Butler, PA 16001. All who knew Mary Lou are encouraged to share memories and upload photos to her unique remembrance page at www.thompson-miller.com.