Dorothy Louise Novak

Dorothy was born in Chicago, Illinois to William Henry Reinking and Louise Gros Reinking, joining her brother Bill to complete their small family, part of a close-knit extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins of German heritage. Dorothy adored her father, "Pop", whose family had settled on a farm west of Chicago, now occupied by Wheaton College. Pop was kind and fun loving, often entertaining Dorothy and Bill with stories of his antics growing up in Wheaton with his mischievous brothers. She was equally close to her mother who loved politics and took advantage of the best the bustling, sophisticated city of Chicago had to offer her family. Love and support of family and community were tenets instilled in Dorothy and Bill at an early age.

Dorothy enjoyed a happy childhood in the old Lake View neighborhood of Chicago with its combination of small family shops, bakeries, and restaurants in a walkable area close to home. On warm summer nights, her family, always loyal to the Cubs, heard fans cheering from nearby Wrigley Field. Dorothy usually had at least one pet and her favorite was little Queenie, a Boston Terrier. She had many wonderful memories of escapades with her lifelong chums, Betty Altman (they could burst into laughter just by looking at each other), Gertrude Mikula, and many neighborhood friends and spirited Lake View High pals.

Dorothy attended Northwestern University before working for the Treasury Department War Bonds division, part of the great effort to win World War II. Her family participated in metal-gathering drives and had a Victory garden during this heightened time of patriotism, fear, and determination, "a time like no other" as she said. A newly published gardening book by Maggie Stuckey includes an interview with Dorothy about her family's World War II Victory garden.

After the war, while Dorothy continued her career in civil service, she took advantage of many cultural opportunities in Chicago, including museums, concerts, plays, and vacationed with friends in Mackinac Island, Florida, and the Bahamas. She met and married Anthony (Tony) Novak, a student at the Art Institute of Chicago. They enjoyed life as a young couple in a vibrant, can-do city, full of creative people while Tony worked as a commercial artist and they began their family with the births of daughters Dorothy and Susan.

Dorothy started a new chapter in her life when the Air Force recalled Tony to service during the Korean War and they set out for Goodfellow Airfield, San Angelo, Texas where their daughter Andrea was born. Then came an exciting three-year assignment to Germany, experiencing post-war recovery there. They traveled widely in Europe, visiting German relatives in Wiesbaden before returning to the States for assignments in Illinois, Mississippi, New Mexico, and North Carolina. Dorothy joined in each new community and mastered her role as an officer's wife, providing a welcoming family home and hosting parties and events. Early in Tony's career, she became adept at handling family moves and adjusting to different places and people, including their final destination of Taiwan.

Throughout her life, family milestones and gatherings were very important to Dorothy. She was an excellent cook, and teamed up with Tony to make holidays and parties special, bountiful times for family and friends. When they retired to Austin in 1970, she once again created a beautiful home for her family. She believed your home should always be a place of comfort and respite and was able to maintain her home until she passed.

Dorothy had a lifelong love of dogs, giving an Austin home to Sylvia, Kim, and Cindy, but also made room for a conniving cat, Muffett. As a proud Democrat, she was thrilled to attend a performance at Esther’s Follies when Governor Ann Richards as a guest took part in an irreverent skit. She was always happy to root for strong, competent women. Dorothy took great pride in the successes of her daughters and the birth of her granddaughters brought her much joy. She was extremely proud of the accomplished women they are today.

Dorothy enjoyed her life in sunny Austin, taking part in various art and gardening activities, and becoming an ardent Longhorn fan. When Tony became an expert in bromeliads, he hybridized a Billbergia bromeliad, which was officially named for his beloved wife Dorothy. She was an avid reader, continuing to read books, newspapers, and magazines and stay current on politics until her final illness. Life was fulfilling with children, grandchildren, neighborhood events, and trips back to her beloved Chicago, learning more about family history and renewing relationships with friends. She lived in a time of momentous history and many scientific, political and social changes. Of course, to her family, she was the best of the greatest generation.

Dorothy is survived by her daughters Dorothy, Susan, and Andrea, granddaughters Pepper (Tony), Leigh Anne (Willis), and Laurie (Alan), great-granddaughter Katie, and stepdaughter Janet. Her nephew William, niece Janice, and their families also survive her. Her husband Tony, parents William and Louise Reinking, brother Bill Reinking and his wife June, close cousin Ruth Gros Sensendorf, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends predeceased her.

Dorothy appreciated the fine medical care and kindness shown to her over many years by Dr. Ace Alsup, III, Dr. William G. Robertson, III, Dr. Gary R. Rylander, Dr. Janet C. Dubois, and Dr. Adrienne M. Feasel and requested they be thanked in her obituary.

A small family burial service was held for Dorothy where she was laid to rest next to Tony on March 1, 2023 at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. Dorothy was a wonderful mother and grandmother; she is unforgettable and will remain in our hearts forever.