Obituary of Elizabeth Mary Victoria Novak

Elizabeth Mary Victoria Novak, née Kós November 3, 1935 – May 27, 2024

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Elizabeth “Betty” Novak at Deer Park Villa, Grimsby after a four year illness. The story of her life in the hands of a talented author would be an international best seller and an Oscar worthy movie.

Betty was born in Budapest, Hungary; the fourth of nine children lovingly welcomed by her parents Mary (née Sheehan) and Hubert Kós.  She enjoyed a privileged and blissful childhood in the bosom of a family teeming with love.  Stories of their adventures and antics have become legendary for the next generations to enjoy.

Like many who lived through the atrocities of WWII, the family’s life was upended and threatened.  After losing her beloved father at the age of 12, Betty and her siblings escaped war torn Budapest with their loyal governess Piri and their mother to the safe shores of Ireland and their maternal relatives.  Grieving the loss of her father, Betty had to learn a new language, settle in a new country, negotiate the challenges of boarding school and the separation from her siblings.  Upon graduation, Betty headed off to Vienna to perfect her German and reunite with her father’s side of the family.  During these blissful months, Betty enjoyed a fairy tale existence where days were spent working in her uncle’s insurance office and evenings being charmed by all sorts of eligible young gentlemen at one fancy dress ball after another.

At 19, having received an invitation to visit Toronto, Canada, Betty set sail on the adventure of her lifetime.  She was quickly embraced by a group of colourful European émigrés who came to Canada with their titles, good manners, joie de vivre and empty pockets.  It was here that she met the love of her life, Karel Novak.  They married in October 1957 and welcomed their daughter Nicolette the following October.  Betty and Karel settled in Beamsville, part of an exotic group of displaced Europeans who added colour and intrigue to this sleepy little town. While Karel farmed, Betty worked in Hamilton for Olivetti Underwood.  She also spent many happy years as a teacher at St. Martin school in Smithville. She finally retired in 1972 to dedicate herself to Karel and the needs of the family business. She spent many years hosting family and friends from all over the world and several weeks each winter travelling through Europe with Karel.

Betty often joked that she had no identity of her own.  She felt she was only known as the wife of Karel Novak or the mother of Nicolette Novak.  Who was she kidding?  She was stylish and elegant, charming and entertaining, and above all loving and kind.  She was a force to be reckoned with and the secret to the Novak family success.  She adored Karel and he adored her.  They enjoyed a dynamic, colourful and loving marriage that only few can hope for. All of this came to a tragic end with the sudden death of Karel in 1987.  Together with her daughter Nicolette, Betty carried on the family farm and started The Good Earth Cooking School which grew into the popular and successful Good Earth Food & Wine Co.  The “widow Novak” and her “maiden daughter” became an inseparable and dynamic team.

Betty’s gift to this world was her ability to make people feel special and to love with purpose.  Her house was always open to both young and old.  Her kindness and generosity of spirit knew no limits.  She had friends and fans of all ages scattered far and wide.  Her love for her siblings and family was the foundation on which she built her life. 

Betty is survived by her daughter Nicolette, sisters Kitty, Zsuzsi and her brother Miklós as well as many nieces, nephews and close friends.  She is predeceased by her parents Mary and Hubert Kós and siblings, Peggy, Hubert, Moya, Dorin, and Béla and her beloved husband Karel Novak.

At the request of the deceased there will be no visitation.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 30 at 2pm at St. Helen Roman Catholic Church, 4106 Mountain Rd. Beamsville.  Cremation to follow.  A celebration of life will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice.

Nicolette wishes to thank the incredible care team at Deer Park Villa who looked after Betty with love and respect to the very end.  These total strangers opened their hearts to create a family for us in our darkest days. Your unselfish kindness and compassion will not be forgotten. A special thank you is also extended to those dear friends and family who remained constant visitors through to the very end of Betty’s life. She loved you all!