- Date Of Birth: September 5, 1958
- Date Of Death: October 24, 2022
- State: Minnesota
Mary Jo Matlock-Novak, age 64, of West. St. Paul, MN passed away at her home on October
24 th . Mary Jo was a loving, thoughtful and kind person who will be missed tremendously. She
would always greet her friends and family with a smile and a hug…and end time spent together
by saying, “Give my love to your family.” She was giving and generous with her time and love,
and seemed to always have a trinket, treat, or something of hers to give to others. Mary Jo had
a great sense of humor and was fun to be around. If she was in the room, the room was a
better place to be. She loved to laugh, and could be quick with a comeback or comment to get a
chuckle. She was sometimes slightly mischievous, and loved to retell the story of the time she
sprinkled fake, plastic ants on her young niece’s breakfast pancakes, which got the reaction of
shock, maybe a few tears, and laughter. Mary Jo was very creative and artistic. She studied
Fine Arts at Inver Hills Community College. She enjoyed painting, photography, making collages
and other crafts…and sharing these hobbies with friends and family. She loved shopping at
thrift stores and finding any “retro or funky” treasures. Mary Jo faced some challenges in life
and worked to overcome them with strength, optimism and with the support of caring friends
and family. She is proceeded in death by her loving husband Bill Novak; parents Julius and Betty
Matlock; brother David Matlock; brother-in-law Dennis Swanson; and nephew David Matlock Jr.
She is survived by sisters Linda Swanson, Julie (Essam) Bermawy; sister-in-law Carole Bartell;
nieces and nephews Jeanette (Brad) Greene, Dennis (Annie) Swanson, Andrea (Bob Braun) Lacy,
Dan (Meaghan) Paczosa, Tara McCapes; 14 grand nieces and nephews; long-time friend Nancy,
close friend Ken, other friends & family, and beloved cat, Whisper.
