Remembrance of the Life of Marianne Novak Houston CoL

Loretto Co-member Marianne Novak Houston died unexpectedly Aug. 23, 2026. She was 91 years old and a Loretto Co-member since Jan. 18, 1997. Previously, she had been received into Loretto May 5, 1954, taking the name Ann Miriam Novak SL. She was dispensed from her vows Aug. 12, 1966.

Editor’s note – The following obituary was provided to Loretto by the Houston family:

Marianne Deborah (Novak) Houston was born in Joliet, Ill., on May 1, 1935, and passed away on Aug. 23, 2026. She was the daughter of Valerie Natalie (Loretta) Rys and Joseph George Novak and grew up in Sterling, Ill., along with brothers and sisters: Joseph (RIP), Valerie (Sister Valerie Ann SL), John, Janus (RIP) Ronald and Raymond (RIP).

She leaves to mourn her beloved husband of 58 happy years, James Hamilton Houston, and sons James “Jamie” (Hallie DeMarco) Houston and Benjamin Joseph Houston and special friend Sarah Kaylor and dearly loved grandchildren: Olivia Rae, Hannah Elizabeth, Carly Louvenia, Liliana Madeleine, Neyla Marie and Maximus Benjamin Houston: she thought and spoke of them virtually every day of her life. Her sisters-in-law and ex-sisters-in-law and their families: Jean Sweeney Novak, Karen Pinch Novak, Mary (Michael) Williams, Annette (Wayne RIP) Thompson, Tangelia (Marshall) Smith and Ola (Arthur) Johnson, also added much joy to her life. Many nieces and nephews and their families, in addition, numerous friends here and around the world were all deeply loved and knew it!

Marianne also had a special place in her heart for all the students she taught in over 50-plus years in education. Several years ago, she attended the 50th reunion of her first class (1958) in St. Louis, telling stories to them of her memories of their year with her! She maintained a deep affection for her students and was fond of saying over the years: “If you love them, they will love you, and they will learn ferociously.” In 1993, toward the end of her teaching career which spanned first grade through university professorship, Marianne received the prestigious Milken National Educator Award and always said, “So very many of my remarkable colleagues should also have been named to this honor.”

Marianne and Jim treasured special friends in many groups with whom they shared their lives, and grew old, for over 50-plus years in Kalamazoo.

She joined the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross at age 18 and loved her life “in religion” as a member of this American institution. Her education was fostered and supported by Loretto, and she graduated from Webster College (now University) in St. Louis, and received her master’s degree from Lumen Vitae International Institute in Brussels, Belgium, an affiliate of Gregorian University in Rome. She also did graduate work at St. Louis University, Syracuse University and Columbia University. When it became clear that she was being called to another way of life, as wife and mother, she left vowed life in the Loretto Community but remained until death as co-member of this socially active, justice-oriented, teaching community. She said often, “Loretto is not something ‘out there,’ it is here, within me. … I left the vowed life, but Loretto has never left me.”

Marianne joined Dr. Parker J. Palmer and colleagues, in partnership with The John Fetzer Institute, in developing the nationally recognized program called “Courage to Teach,” (now “Courage and Renewal”) in 1995. It is now an international program that provides spiritual retreats for educators and professionals in numerous fields. She facilitated personal and professional renewal retreats from 1996 to 2023, across the United States and in Canada, Singapore, Australia, Haiti and Costa Rica. She truly treasured her relationship and mentoring work with her fellow retreat facilitators and participants in “Courage and Renewal” over the years, speaking often of the rare dedication that educators and other service professionals bring to their work. You may have heard her repeat one of her frequent comments: “I have never not been a teacher, beginning at age 7, teaching my younger siblings and friends!”

Active in the Kalamazoo community from 1970 through her final years, Marion was a devoted servant in many arenas. Early in the ’70s she worked in the Committee to Study Textbooks, (in use in KPS), to ascertain gender equity, her first foray into service in this community. Her affiliations with and service within included at St. Joseph Parish, NAACP, the Democratic Party, Sixth District Board, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Southern Poverty Law Center, the Courage and Renewal community, Professional and Executive Association of Kalamazoo (PEAK), the Literacy Council, the League of Women Voters, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WMU not to mention Table One at Sarkozy’s Bakery and her book clubs! All were meaningful, fun and rewarding; her colleagues in these groups were among her treasures. She volunteered with Ministry with Community. (Her loved book of original poetry, “On the Street,” remains in print from 2011 until the present, and serves as a fundraiser for Ministry with Community.)

In lieu of a memorandum, contributions can be made to The Loretto Community, (Loretto Motherhouse, 430 Academy Lane, Nerinx, KY 40049), whose work of social justice, environmental action and peace continues in the work of her extraordinary members and colleagues, or to a charity of one’s choice. A memorial service will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, starting with a viewing on Monday, Oct. 5, at 10 a.m., followed by Mass at 11 a.m. and a reception to follow.

Please keep Marianne, her husband, her sister Valerie Novak SL and all their family and friends in your prayers. May Marianne rest in peace.