Loreen “Reenie” A. Novak, 82 of Front Royal, Virginia passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Hidden Springs Senior Living, where she resided the last four years.
Reenie was born on August 16, 1940 in Washington D.C. to the late Anthony and Loretta Novak. She was also preceded in death by her longtime companion, Sarah “Sally” Talbot.
Surviving Reenie are her siblings, Anthony Novak Jr. (Judy), and Vicki A. Novak; her numerous nieces and nephews; her very special friends, Nancy Q. Raum and Diane King; her god-children; her many “little sisters” who she loved and adored and many dedicated staff who cared for her over the years.
Reenie was born in Washington D.C. but was raised and grew up in Arlington. She attended Washington Lee High School in Arlington, and graduated from Mary Washington College with a B.A. in 1962. She then went to work in the federal government for about 14 years in multiple agencies as a successful human resources manager before relocating to Front Royal. There she co-owned Corron’s Grocery Store for 12 years and was very active within her community.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Mid- Atlantic Pug Rescue at 1285 Bradford Dr. Lancaster, SC 29720 or online at https://midatlanticpugrescue.org/donations.html. Donations may also be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), at aspca.org.
Vicki- my heart goes out to you, and your family, and friends, that were such an important and special part of Reenie’s life!
Although I never had the honor of meeting Reenie- the more I find out about her the more I know her and I would have been best friends.
You and her were blessed to be sisters to one another ! And both of you took being a sister very seriously and showed those who knew you all what a sisters love is all about! It’s such a special love- She will forever be in your heart!
Sending my love and prayers- 💚🙏
Dear Vicki.
The children Natalia, Kamila and Viktoria Sienkiewicz had a good bye prayer with beautiful candle and flowers for aunt Reenie.
She will, always be in our hearts.
We love you so much, you aren’t alone my dear aunt Vicki, because in this journey of life, your family is right next to you.
Sincerely yours,
Karol and Blazej Sienkiewicz and family
She was va very special Aunt and godmother to me, she was a role model and friend who encouraged me when I was young.
I first met Reenie while I was visiting with residents in an assisted care facility in Strasburg VA. I made special time for the lady who at the time was in a wheelchair. That didn’t keep her from getting out of her room and chatting in the hallway “when she wanted to visit.” She had her own drummer! She mad her own choices. She had a delightful sense of humor and loved cherry tomatoes so we quickly connected. I wasn’t able to see her but a couple of times when she relocated to Hidden Springs but I have sweet memories and several photos that I will cherish. Reenie, rest in peace. You are loved and will be missed. My prayers and sympathies to the family and friends who Reenie left behind. I pray all of you will be together when the time is right. Blessings from a friend, Daisie
Dear Vicki,
I know how much you loved your sister and were very devoted. I know you hurt deep inside and will always miss her. Please take solace in the fact that she is at eternal rest and will experience eternal peace.
Sunday 7 September 1986, my brother Stan and I were waiting in the restaurant of the Sheraton at Dulles for the arrival of two ladies of Virginia whom I had been corresponding with for the previous six months. The reason for our ‘meeting’ believe it or not was a 7000 mile round trip to see the Redskins play the Eagles at RFK that afternoon. Reenie was a friend of a friend of a lady who used to work for me back in England who had asked for vacation time in our January Sales period and when I found out she was visiting a friend in Virginia I granted her wish on the condition that she had season tickets for the Redskins whom my brother and I had followed on British TV for the previous two years. The rest as they say is history, nearly forty years of crossing the ‘Pond’ to visit Reen and Sally, staying with them on their property which we nicknamed South Fork. The following year we experienced a Tailgate trip to RFK in a Mobile Bar called a Chevy Econovan in which we met Vicki and Nancy and Reenie’s Vodka cocktails. Don’t remember anything about the game whatsoever !!!!
More vacations followed, Reenie and Sally made the trip in the opposite direction visiting us after a stay in Germany and we were able to show her some of the country we call home. My wife Dorothy eventually met Reenie and Sally on a vacation in Myrtle Beach and subsequently on many visits to Virginia, regretfully our ‘last’ visit planned for October last year was ruined by Hurricane Ian , postponed to later this year we’re now too late to see our Dear, dear friend.
Enjoy your reunion with Sal my dear friend, you’ll never know how much you’ll be missed here.
Our thoughts are with you Vicki.
David and Dorothy
So sad to learn of my good friend’s departure😢
What a gal, she was!
From Sherry
(a loving Classmate(‘62)
I remember back when they had the store my daughter was a baby. My husband took her to the store to ask the ladies to change her dirty diaper because he had removed it a few times and gagged. When I got off from work and stopped in we had a good laugh. They were the sweetest ladies.
My dear friend Vicki, You are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. I remember you fondly talking about your sister, Rennie. You were the best caregiver. I pray that God will continue to strengthen you during the transition of your sister. You were the best sister to Rennie. I thank you for your love, kindness and friendship.
Your darling friend, Marlenia