Sigrid Christensen Novak

Sigrid Christensen Novak, 73, of South Orange, died on October 25, 2016. Her loving, devoted husband was at her side.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she was the first daughter of Lawrence Christensen and Grace Crutchfield Christensen.

Sigrid graduated from East Washington High School in 1960 and earned a bachelor’s of arts in sociology from Bucknell University in 1964. She started her career as a case worker for the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS). She resided in South Orange for more than 47 years where she was an active member of the school and town community. Dedicated to her children and their education, she was a member of the Marshall, South Mountain, Jefferson and Columbia High School Parent Teacher Associations. She was a founding member of the South Orange/ Maplewood Educational Alliance (ACHIEVE) and past president and board member of Family Connection. For 16 years, Sigrid served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Foundation for Diabetes Research (FDR) and active volunteer of the NJ chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). One of her proudest accomplishments was being featured in a NY Times article for her work with Welcome Wagon, for 22 years she was a familiar smiling face around town greeting new merchants and welcoming new families.

She also was a Rotarian recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award recognizing her many years of service.

Sigrid was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in East Orange where she sang in the choir and later a member of Faith Lutheran Church in New Providence. Sigrid was a wonderful hostess, and loved to spend time with family and friends, gardening, traveling, theater, jazz events, bowling and she truly enjoyed her summers in the Poconos.

Survivors include Darryl, her beloved husband of 51 years; three children, Lars and his wife Mari Kim, Margo and her husband Andrew Gifford, and Yvonne and her husband Aaron Weindling; grandchildren Alexander, Grace, Eloise Sigrid, and Jonathan; siblings Ralph, Karen and Norman; and many extended family members and dear friends. Sigrid was predeceased by her parents and brother, Roy.

Visitation will take place at Memorial Funeral Home, 155 South Ave., Fanwood on Friday, November 11th, from 4pm-7pm. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, November 12th at Faith Lutheran Church, 524 South Street, New Providence.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Sigrid Christensen Novak Scholarship at Bucknell University. Make checks payable to Bucknell University with Sigrid Novak Scholarship in the subject line. Mail to: Gift Processing, Bucknell University, 301 Market Street, Suite #2, Lewisburg, PA 17837. For additional information or to sign the guestbook, visit www.fanwoodmemorial.com.