Patricia Ann Novotny

On Friday, September 13th, 2024, the brightest light left our earth to join God in heaven. Patricia Ann Novotny passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. 

Pat was born on February 8th, 1940, to Harriett Springer Ward and Joseph Raymond Ward in Baltimore, Maryland. She attended Seton High School, where her devotion to the Blessed Mother and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton began. Her commitment to the Catholic faith was unwavering. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Fields Catholic Church from 1965 to 1975 when St.Elizabeth Ann Seton Church was opened in Crofton, Md. Pat played a pivotal role in fostering the Catholic faith in both children in CCD and introducing adults to the Catholic Faith as a team member of the RCIA group She was a driving force in establishing the faith-building of the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton community in Crofton, Maryland. 

Pat met Joe while she was a high school freshman, although she often said she had her eyes on him in grade school because she “thought one day he would have money.” Their relationship continued to grow, and they bonded through their faith and mutual love of youth dances, pizza, ice cream, teenage hangout spots, and the friends they made during those formative years. Pat was only 18, and Joe was 19 when they married on October 11th, 1958. They raised five children: Joseph Raymond, Jeffrey Thomas, Elizabeth Ann, Mary Patricia, and Matthew Francis, as well as their granddaughter from birth, Malarie Patricia. 

Pat's marriage and her love for Joe created and supported many lives, friendships, and communities. She cared for all her friends' children and her children’s friends as if they were her own. She opened her door to everyone, making family a feeling for all. The McCarthy family from Severna Park, MD, is one particular friendship in which Pat formed an extended family. She made two families as one and often gathered as one on holidays, events, birthdays, and more. This was through a friendship with Barbara and Jim McCarthy since grade school, a testament to her nurturing nature. 

As we say goodbye to our Saint Pat, we know her presence lives on in the past, present, and future. She is preceded in death by her father, mother, and daughters, Mary Patricia and Elizabeth Ann. Still, she lives on through her children Joseph Raymond (Lisa Caprio Novotny), Jeffrey Thomas, Matthew Francis (June Novotny), her grandchildren Andrew, Malarie Patricia Zeeks (Zachary Zeeks) granddaughter Juliette Patricia, Felicia Novotny-Davis (Connor), Matthew Francis Jr., Ashley Marie (Jacob) with great-grandson Luca Joseph Dale, and Caroline Alma Donia Lastfogel.

Elizabeth Ann Seton said, “Faith lifts the soul, Hope supports it, Experience says it must, and Love says...let it be!” Patricia Ann (Ward) Novotny embodied these words in mind, spirit, and soul. We have been truly blessed to be a part of her life, and we will continue to try to plant seeds of her spirit in everything we do. 

Instead of flowers please consider donating to Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Crofton, MD and/or the Crofton Christian Caring Council.

Seton Parish:

St Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1800 Seton Dr, Crofton, MD 21114

Phone: (410)721-5770

Email: SetonParish@seaseton.org

Crofton Christian Caring Council: https://cumc.net/cccc/ 

Monetary and non-perishable donations are accepted. The Food Pantry is available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church (located on the far right side of the church).