Theresa Ann Novotny

It is with great sorrow that the family announces Ms. Theresa Ann Kielar Novotny, age 91 of West Lake Woods Assisted Living Community, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Columbus, PA on January 10, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Aneila Drabicki Kielar and Wojciech (George) Kielar. She was the beloved wife of Aloysius (Al) Thomas Novotny to whom she was married for 43 years and who preceded her in death.

The last of her family’s generation, she was also preceded in death by all eight of her siblings:

Ms. Estelle Seamon (Charles), Ms. Josephine Kielar, Ms. Helen Thompson (Nelson), Mr. John Kielar (Loretta Malinowski), Mr. Theodore Kielar (Rosemary Softich), Ms. Veronica Kielar, Ms. Cecilia Phillips (Chester), and Mr. Joseph Kielar (Carol Flaherty).

Terry was the loving mother of James Paul Novotny (Mimi Wood), and Karen Novotny Coughlin (Timothy), each of whom served her well as care support over the past ten years.

Fiercely independent, both adult children helped Terry succeed in her lifelong family home until the last two years of her life. Terry is also survived by her three grandchildren, Ms. Josephine Novotny, Mr. Connor Coughlin, and Mr. Evan Coughlin who, collectively, were “the apples of her eye.” Terry also had two step-grandchildren, Ms. Meghan Coughlin, and Michael Coughlin (Nina) and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Born into a farm family of nine children, and the second youngest child, Terry attended three different high schools while her father pursued employment in the Columbus, Erie, and then Corry areas, graduating in 1952. Terry’s parents spoke Polish as a primary language at home, so Terry grew up bilingual, fluent in both Polish and English.

Terry first worked as a Telephone Operator at General Telephone Company, then worked tirelessly in the bakery at Edinboro University for 20 years, reporting to work every morning at 5:00 a.m. so that students had fresh baked goods for the day. Then, it was home to care for her family. Terry worked a large vegetable garden with her husband, Al, in the summer months, for over forty years. Terry loved gardening, canning, and tending to her beautiful flowers every Spring, her favorite season of the year. Terry and Al were ahead of their time, serving “Farm to Table” dinners, with fresh tomatoes, “Bodacious” sweet corn, and helping Al can his famous homemade pickles and spaghetti sauce. After retiring, Terry and Al traveled extensively and found time to go to local dances.

After her husband passed, Terry simply hopped on the family’s John Deere and proceeded to routinely mow her multi-acre property, traversing, hills, banks, and the edges of her pond like a pro, well into her eighties, until her adult children couldn’t stand the anxiety the chore caused them.

Terry was a lifelong, devout Catholic and an active member of St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, always volunteering to help cook, bake, or serve families at church events. A quiet, humble person, Terry always made fast friends, wherever she went, with her welcoming heart and her genuine interest in others. Terry was the “Master Pierogi and Golumpki Maker” for her extended family, whom she loved deeply. Terry visited with all of them, who came from far and wide, every second week of July at the Annual Kielar Reunion, all her adult life, without fail.

Terry attended all the events for her grandchildren, be it on a cold bleacher watching soccer games, in the front row of a high school play, on the end of the pew at a First Communion or riding an Anderson Tour bus to make sure her only granddaughter could visit New York City.

When care needs finally forced her from her home, she joined Westlake Woods and lived in her own apartment home there for her last two years. Terry declared herself the Community’s “Stada Bubba”, (Polish for “old woman”), with her unique sense of humor, even in the most challenging times. Terry’s apartment was always a place where the caregivers found a reason for a daily visit because Terry wanted to hear about their day. Terry and her polka music will be missed by all who love her.

We invite family and friends to the viewing, April 21st, 10 a.m., at St. Patrick’s Church 130 E. 4th Street, Erie, PA 16507, followed by an 11:00 a.m. funeral mass.

Burial at the Catholic Cemetery in Corry will be Tuesday morning for family.

In lieu of flowers, her family suggests memorial donations may be made to the Cambridge Springs Senior Center. 156 Venango Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA. 16403.

Arrangements are under the care of the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, Inc., West Ridge 3801 W. 26th Erie, PA 16506.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com