Paula Novacek

She was born on September 28, 1961 at Tempe St. Lukes Hospital, in Tempe, Arizona. Graduated from Tempe High School and obtained two bachelor’s degrees, one in 1983 in Fashion Merchandising from Iowa State University, and one in Accounting from Arizona State University. She was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) as a certified public accountant and certified financial manager.

Paula’s worked over 26 years in governmental accounting and auditing including serving as an Assistant Auditor General for the State of Arizona; Accounting Manager for the City of Scottsdale; Assistant Finance Director for the City of Mesa, Arizona; and most recently since 2017 as the Controller for the Finance Division of Valley Metro. Her coworkers said she was always professional, disciplined and a hard worker. Staff were most appreciative that she was very patient in explaining why governmental accounting policies and procedures had to be a certain way.

Her passion for caring for animals began in high school when she volunteered at the Phoenix Zoo through an honors program. She loved sports and played on high school tennis and badminton teams; later played on a local softball team. She enjoyed collecting minerals, gemstones and Native American artwork and crafts. She was also an avid reader.

Paula was a devoted mother. Her children were her world. She attended all her children’s sporting events and participated in their pitching practices at times as their “catcher.” She liked to travel, attend concerts, and hockey and baseball events with them.

She is survived by her children Maria, James, and Stephanie Novacek, her parents Joe and Dixie Felix, sisters, Ranae Otero, Kathy Levandowsky, Lisa Felix, and a large family of aunts, uncles and cousins who will miss her greatly.