Gloria Kay Novak, born November 20, 1940, in Somerset Kentucky, passed peacefully on April 14, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the age of 85.

Gloria and her family moved to Albuquerque in 1953 when she was almost 13 years old. She made New Mexico her home for the remainder of her life. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James F. Novak, with whom she shared 55 devoted years of marriage, and by her parents Ruthella Hrachovina and Estle Ornado Harp.

Gloria was an accomplished legal secretary and served as the Office Manager of Marchiondo and Vigil Law Offices for over 50 years. Her dedication, professionalism, and steadfast work ethic earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues and clients.

A woman of deep faith, Gloria loved the Lord with all her heart, she knew Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was a faithful member of Berean Baptist Church. She found great joy in playing the piano, both for church services and in her personal time, sharing her gift of music with others.

She also loved to dance - "two-stepping" through life in perfect rhythm with the one true love of her life, Jimmy. From countless nights spent on crowded dance floors to quiet moments gliding across the kitchen floor, they danced. Although time would, one day, temporarily separate them, their dance never truly ended.

Above all, Gloria was devoted to all of her family - close and extended. She was a guiding light in their lives - always there when needed, offering her wisdom, skills, strength and compassion. She was lovingly known as

"The General", and had a remarkable way of helping others navigate through and solve their problems while leading with kindness, grace, and unwavering love.

She is lovingly survived by her children, Teresa Ann Gage, Sherry Lynn Tucker, and Stephen Michael James Novak; their spouses Dale Gage and Amanda Serio-Novak; her grandchildren, Amanda Susher, Jesper Novak and his wife Clarisse, Sandra L. Tucker, and Luke Novak; her recently born great grandchild Jamie Neutron; her three loving sisters and kindred spirits, the remaining "Jones Girls" - Sherry Ann Wright, Tanya Lee Celenze, and Nichole Weakland; her brother Marc Harp and his wife AnnMarie; her stepmother Patsy Harp, her sister-in-law Shirley Harris; four special cousins - Sharon Bucholz Brown, Freddy, Theresa and Johnny Bucholz; her lifelong friends of over 60 years Paul and Betty Ridolfo; and her dedicated caregiver and newly "adopted" member of the family, Donnie Dominguez.

Her love extended across three generations to her many nieces and nephews including her oldest nephew Jeremy Weakland; The Sasso Clan: Kimberly and Charlie, Ryan, Chclsea and Kye; The Donato Clan: Kevin and Toni, Britton and Maddie, Lindsey and John, Nicole and Jake; The Ball Clan: Jennifer and Patrick, Gabriel, Ashley, and Gracie; The Arnold Clan: Sara Joy, J.j., Laynie and Travis, Dawn Rene and Ryan, Ella Ruth and Henry; The Robbins Clan: Angela and Danny and Levi; The Lackey Clan: Marlo and Matt, Ethan, Ryan, Elizabeth, and Riley; The Celenze Clan: Anthony and Ashlee, Asher, Annalee and Angelina; and sixteen (16) more great nieces and nephews.

Gloria's life was a testament to faith, family, love and service. She will be deeply missed and forever held in the hearts of those who knew and loved her . We welcome you to come share memories, laughter and love as we honor Gloria's life and the love she shared so freely with all of us.

Celebration of Life

Saturday, May 9, 2026 11:00 a.m.

Berean Baptist Church

3800 Eubank Blvd NE

Albuquerque NM 87111

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in her honor to the Berean Baptist Church's Mission Program. http://bereanbaptistabq.com

~ Where the waters are still and the soul is at rest, held in God's grace ... she is forever in our hearts ~