Jean Novy, 86, of Greenfield

Mass of Christian Burial: Will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield with burial in the Greenfield Cemetery. Father Phillip Bempong will officiate.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.  The Lamb Funeral Home of Greenfield is in charge of professional arrangements.

Open Visitation: Will be held at St. John’s on Friday December 9, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Friday, December 9, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s followed by a Rosary for Jean at 7:00 p.m.

Memorials:  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jean’s honor should go to St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield.

Jean Marie (Jennings) Novy passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at the Adair County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield.

Jean was born at home in Ringgold County on September 8, 1936, a beloved daughter to Raymond and Naomi (South) Jennings. Jean grew up in Taylor County, attending and graduating from Conway community schools in 1954. An outstanding basketball player for Conway, Jean received an Honorable Mention for the State of Iowa Girls 6 on 6 Basketball. She worked at Caskey’s Jewelry Store in Bedford and, following graduation, worked at Equitable Insurance Company in Des Moines.

A lifelong resident of Iowa, Jean married John L. Novy on February 18, 1956 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lenox and they began married life together in Creston where they would start their family. Jean and John moved to Guthrie Center in 1957 and she continued as a homemaker. The ever growing Novy family finally settled in Greenfield in the fall of 1966. The family home on SE Jackson Street was always busy with a revolving door of her own children, neighbors, friends and cousins. Jean welcomed them all. Many lifelong, cherished friends and memories were made here.

Jean was a mother first but was also active in her church and many community groups. She served in several capacities with St. John’s Altar and Rosary Society, was a member of the Federated Women’s Club, Church Women United, Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, Busy Bee Bowlers Club and had lots of fun as part of the Red Hat Society.

As her youngest kids became more independent, Jean began working part-time at the Jewel Box in 1981 and stayed on working mostly Wednesdays and Saturday mornings for 35 plus years. She always enjoyed working for Jane and, of course, the ‘extra spending money’. Her kids and later the grandkids enjoyed stopping by to visit Mom/Grandma at work and helping make those signature Jewel Box bows.

Jean and John enjoyed weekend road trips together with friends on the Honda where they would cruise for breakfast or lunch and sometimes take longer weekend trips. She also enjoyed traveling and enjoyed many special trips with her two sisters to Hawaii, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, France, Canada and multiple trips to Ireland and Italy. The sisters also enjoyed special trips to visit their brother, Gerald & sister in law Alicia. She had many other cherished friendships and was grateful for each and every one.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, John Novy; her parents Raymond and Naomi Jennings; infant great grandson Benjamin Blaine Kohler; brother and sister in law, Gerald & Alicia Jennings and nephew Danny; brothers in law, Ray Sena, John Cook and Gary Penrod; brothers in law and sisters in law Leo & Doris Novy, Glenn & Bernice Novy and niece Dale.

Rest well sweet Mother, despite their best efforts, all 12 of your children outlived you.

Those left to mourn are Keith, Dixon, Carolyn, Linda (Jack Blaine), Catherine, David, John, Mary, Margaret (Jamison Jaworski), Steven, Matthew (Kim) and Mark.  Her sisters Betty Cook and Patricia Penrod, dear friend Linda Dickerson, many beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces & nephews.

We all love you and will cherish your memory always. You never failed to show and teach us right from wrong and we know you will be keeping a watchful eye always.