Karen Juelg Novak

Karen Juelg Novak passed away peacefully on September 26, 2026, surrounded by her adoring family. An incredible mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Karen’s entire existence was dedicated to her family, friends, and community. Born and raised in Covington, Kentucky, Karen’s early years were defined by her strong Catholic faith, her large family, and her love of education. She graduated from the University of Kentucky and went on to receive her master's in Speech Pathology at Georgia State University.

After living in five cities over six years, she settled in Potomac, Maryland, in 1982, where she built an incredible community for herself and her daughters, Sarah and Amanda. After beginning her career in speech pathology, Karen found her true calling in caring for others. She devoted herself first to raising her girls, then to caring for aging family members, followed by many years of volunteering and working with Hospice Caring, and, in later years, lovingly caring for her grandchildren. Throughout it all, Karen gave generously of her time and heart, volunteering at her children’s schools, her church, and throughout her community.

Karen was strongly driven by her Catholic Faith and attended Mass several days a week at Our Lady of Mercy Parish for over 40 years. She found great joy in attending Sunday Mass with her children and grandchildren, who often filled an entire pew together. After Mass, she loved lighting candles for those in need of prayer, a tradition she especially cherished sharing with her grandchildren.

Karen often said that she found her true purpose in life once she became a grandmother. She loved her six grandchildren unconditionally, and they returned that love. Ages two to sixteen, they all adored her creative activities, from crafts and gifts for their parents to celebrating holidays big and small. 

Karen’s family and friends will remember her for her warm and gentle nature, her dry and often delightfully sarcastic sense of humor, and, above all, her extraordinary love for her family and friends. She had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel welcome; her home was always open, her table always had room for one more, and she had a way of making everyone who walked through her door feel like family.

Karen is survived by her devoted daughters and sons-in-law, Sarah Novak Nesbitt (David) and Amanda Novak Hewitt (Kenny); her sisters, Kris Juelg Marcinik (Dennis) and Kathy Ann Kappes; her nieces, Meredith Marcinik, Laura Alvarez, and Elizabeth Davidson; her nephew, Michael Kappes; and the true lights of her life, her beloved grandchildren: Reid, Claire, and Max Nesbitt, and Grace, Henry, and Teddy Hewitt, as well as many cousins and extended family.

Karen’s family and friends will celebrate her beautiful life with a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, October 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy in Potomac, Maryland. In keeping with the way Karen lived her life, all are welcome.

Consistent with Karen’s generosity, the family requests donations in lieu of flowers to Little Sisters of the Poor, D.C. or to So Others May Eat (SOME), two organizations that were especially dear to her heart.  See details below.