Bronislawa "Bertha" Novak

Birth: Jan. 6, 1907 Death: Nov. 17, 2006

Bertha Elizabeth (Novak) Valek, 99, formerly of Ford City, died Friday, Nov. 17, 2006, at the Armstrong County Health Center in Kittanning. She was born Jan. 6, 1907, in Ford City to Joseph and Magdalene (Saranicz) Novak. She was second born in a family of six and the only daughter. Bertha received schooling until grade eight and then was employed to sell lingerie at Flynn's Department Store. Her hiring was due in part for her ability to understand and translate the many languages spoken by store customers. Bertha married Joseph "Keets" Valek on June 6, 1928, and their long-time home was on the site of Holy Trinity Church. Bertha and Joe raised three children, Geraldine "Jeri", Esther "Sis" and Richard "Dick." Joseph was employed by his father, who owned and operated a family meat market/grocery store. In the mid 1950s, the couple bought and operated Valek's Meat Market, a small deli and grocery store at 1201 Sixth Ave., Ford City. The store was well known for its home-style ham salad, made with Bertha's secret recipe. Joseph took pride in his meat department and Bertha in her Penny Candy Assortment. They opened their store early enough in the winter so that the kids who rode the bus didn't have to stand outside until the high school doors opened. Bertha was an enthusiastic homemaker. Having a good eye for color and furniture placement, Bertha delighted in getting the most out of a slim home decorating budget. She also enjoyed knitting, tatting, crocheting, and to the delight of her family and friends, cooking and baking. Some of her specialties included mock chicken legs and rushki cookies. Bertha and Joe maintained their "mom and pop" store until their retirement in the mid 1970s. They then moved to a small second-story apartment in her brother Walter's home along Fifth Avenue to enjoy their golden years. Joseph passed away July 1988. They were married 60 years. Bertha continued to live independently until 1996. During this time, she remained active and continued to devoutly attend Mass at Holy Trinity, crochet, frequent the Ford City Senior Center to play her favorite card game 500 Bid and spend time with her extended families. All of the great-grandchildren knew her as G.G. In 1996, she moved to Butler to live with her second daughter Esther. After hip surgery, October 2003, Bertha convalesced at Clarview Nursing Home in Sligo and in March 2004, was transferred to the Armstrong County Health Center. Bertha Valek is survived by her first born daughter, Geraldine "Jeri" Vidunas, of Rimersburg, and her nine grandchildren, Sonja Heeter, Rita Heeter (five great-grandchildren, Zackery, Luke, Jake, Henry, and Hanna), Rochelle Verick, (three great-grandchildren, Arthur, Jocelyn, Theresa), Paul Vidunas (two great-grandchildren, Alex-ander, Nicholas), Marybeth Vidunas, Michael Vidunas, Bridgette Vidunas, Joseph Vidunas, (two great-great-grandchildren, Anne, Benjamin) and Vanessa Vidunas. Her second born daughter, Esther McGrath McCorry, of Butler, and her five grandchildren, Kevin McGrath, Valerie Dallos (one great-grandchild Jessica) Alison Fox, Paula Cook (one grandchild Tyler) and Brian McGrath. Her third-born son, the late Richard Valek and five grandchildren, Nicky Thomas Wears (one great-grandchild Mathew Moxley), Thomas Valek, Karen Ranneberger (two great-grandchildren, Amelia, Thom-as), Joe Valek (one great-grandchild Dayna) and Lisa Snyder (one great-grandchild Amanda D'Andrea). She is also survived by nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews, and two sisters-in-law, Media Novak and Edna Valek. She is preceded in death by all of her siblings, half-sister, Mary Novak, John, Walter "Vud", Henry, Alexander "Nermie" and Stanley "Stush" Novak, her husband, Joseph; her son Richard; and great-granddaughters, Shaunna Dallos and Samantha Snyder. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Mantini Funeral Home Inc., 701 Sixth Ave., Ford City, where Prayers for the Transfer of the Body will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Christ, Prince of Peace Church, Ford City with the Rev. Edward Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Holy Trinity Cemetery.