Dorothy “Dotsy” (Sabol) Novakovich of Monessen passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2022, surrounded by her children. She was born in Monessen on March 28, 1928, the daughter of the late Matthew and Julia (Boldyzar) Sabol. Dotsy was a lifelong resident of Monessen. A 1946 graduate of Monessen High School, she helped plan and organize all of their class reunions. She was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church and the former St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, where she served on the Ladies Guild. She was a telephone operator for the Bell Telephone Company and worked at the Toy Parade in the Monessen Mini Mall as well. She enjoyed playing in several card clubs over the years, working daily crossword puzzles and visiting with her children in their homes. She was the last surviving member of her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, John “Googie” Novakovich, who passed away in July 2020; brothers and sisters, John (Catherine) Sabol, Matthew Sabol, Emil (Betty) Sabol, Ann (William) Bantz, Irene (Emil) Shimo, Julie (George) Major, Mildred (Wilfred) Tunney and Mary (Phillip) Rutan; infant brothers, William and Leonard Sabol; brothers and sisters in-law, Jack and Josephine Novakovich and Alex Novakovich. She is survived by her son, John Novakovich of Spartansburg; daughters, Janice (Jonathan) Harding of Slippery Rock, with whom she made her home after her husband’s passing, and Julie (Brian) Thieser of Monessen; sister-in-law Joan Novakovich of Monessen; and many loved nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, at Robert A. Billick Funeral Home Inc., Grand Boulevard and Marion Avenue, Monessen. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, in the funeral home with Rev. Michael J. Crookston officiating, followed by interment in Grandview Cemetery. Donations can be made in Dotsy’s memory to “Sparkle My Head Scarves,” her great-niece’s organization to provide head scarves and caps for childhood cancer patients. Go to SparkleMyHeadScarves.com or donate through the funeral home.
