Elizabeth "Betty" A. Novacek

Elizabeth “Betty” (Adams) Novacek, LPN, passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at Charlton Memorial Hospital. Betty was the wife of the late Richard Novacek. She was born in Chicago, IL and was the daughter of the John and Anna Adams.

Betty was the mother of Michael (Heather Anne) of N. Providence, RI; Anthony (Karen) of Fall River, MA; Robert (Stephanie) of Lunenburg, MA; and Nancy of Somerset, MA. She was the mother-in-law to Roland Soucy (Karen Rebello) of Fall River, MA. She was Grandma to Heather Medeiros (Dennis); Kayla (Danny Lamb); Mallory (Carlos Andrade) and Grace. Betty was great Grammy to Devin Medeiros and has three on the way. She was also the sister of Dorothy Asplund (George), Barbara Parello, John Adams (Deni) and Mary Ripley, the sister-in-law of Alice Myrick (Jerry), Dorothy Sullivan and Arthur Novacek. Betty was the former mother-in-law of Sandie Dubois. She also had numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her daughter Catherine Soucy, her grandsons Andrew Soucy and Ian Novacek, her brother Thomas Adams, brothers-in-law Charles Sullivan and Arthur Novacek and sister-in-law Dorothy Sullivan.

The corner-stone of her faith started when she, as a young child of 9 years old, spent two years at St. Joseph’s Home for the friendless in Chicago, IL. Betty praised the sister of Providence at Providence High School, that she attended in Chicago for her study skills and life lessons that helped her persevere throughout her life. Betty had a special devotion to St. Joseph that helped her persevere throughout her life. Betty had a special devotion to St. Joseph and to Our Lady of Lourdes.

Betty was an active member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Somerset, MA since the family was transferred and settled in Somerset, MA in 1964. She was a former coordinator for the CCD program, wrote the history for the 100th and the 125th anniversary, and was a member and a past president of the Woman’s Guild, Eucharistic Minister and a recipient of the Marian Medal. Betty started the Parish Nurse Program at St. Patrick’s, which became the first church in the diocese to have a defibrillator. The Parish Nurses put on health fairs, healing masses, healing services, has blood glucose and blood pressure clinics, and visited home bound parishioners.

Richard and Betty made Curcillo at LaSalette in Attleboro, MA and lived the Curcillo Life. Being a Cursillista, Betty was a team member, gave talks on her life on other Curcillo weekends, attended Ultreya gatherings and met with her prayer group.

Betty served on the steering committee to establish a kindergarten program in the Somerset School System.

After her husband passed away, Betty returned to school graduating at the top of her class at Diman for N.A. certificate and then for her LPN degree. She worked at St. Anne’s Hospital for 24 years, retiring as the Coordinator of the Volunteer Department. After her retirement, Betty researched and created a book for the family on our Family History. She returned to St. Anne’s and volunteered as an Eucharistic Minister, became an Associate for the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation and worked at Waring-Sullivan Funeral Homes.

Betty was the first LPN to serve as president of the New England Council of Catholic Nurses and the Fall River Diocesan Counsel of Catholic Nurses. She served for many years in a variety of positions for the Catholic Nurses including hosting seminars for C.E.U.’s. Betty and her daughter Nancy, co-chaired the last weekend conference of the New England Council of Catholic Nurses.

Her Funeral will be held on Monday, April 25, 2022 at 9:00AM from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Rose E. Sullivan, 866 County St., Somerset, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00AM in St. Patrick’s Church, 306 South St., Somerset, MA 02726. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Sunday from 3:00 to 6:00PM. Contributions in her honor may be made to St. Patrick’s Church or to the National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette, 947 Park St. Attleboro, MA 02703. Burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Somerset.