Mary Novick, 83, died on July 27, after a battle with cancer. Novick was OPC Manager for 22 years. She was warmly applauded at her retirement luncheon at the Williams Club on June 14, 1994 and was presented with a gold bracelet and charm inscribed “OPC 1972 – 1994.”
“She was very proud of her career with the OPC,” said Novick’s son Frank. He said she always looked forward to receiving the Bulletin and that photos from her time with the OPC were displayed at her services.
Speaking as one of the many Club Presidents who worked with Novick, Larry Smith remarked on how “strong and courageous — and compassionate — Mary has been.” Long-time OPC member George Burns gave an amusing rendition of OPC history adding, “Mary was like a granite rock on the seashore these 22 years, as waves and waves of presidents and officers just wash up past her, fling themselves on the beach, and wash back into the ocean and disappear — and she remains.” Also former President John Corporon said, “She helped keep the OPC together during some dark days of the organization.”
Novick lived in Ridgewood, Queens, and is survived by her son Frank, daughter-in-law Renee and grandson, Frank, Jr. She was predeceased by her sons Patrick and Robert.
Sonya Fry, who became manager of the Club after Novick’s retirement recalled, “Mary asked if I could help with registration for the D-Day Memorial program at the Grand Hyatt. I had not officially started working yet, but was willing to lend a hand. A very familiar voice came up to me at the table and said a few words before he introduced himself. Without even looking up I knew it was Walter Cronkite — who would not recognize the voice of the ‘most trusted man in America?’ I knew this job was going to be great from this very first day.
“A few weeks later I officially started at the OPC office, which in June 1994 was located in Tudor City near the United Nations at the eastern end of 42nd Street, Mary introduced me to Lili Lee, the invaluable office assistant and then we went to the Bowery Savings Bank where the OPC had its accounts. That ornate building is now the Cipriani catering hall. Mary introduced me to all the officers and tellers — everyone seemed to know and be pleased to see Mary when she came into the bank. When we got back to the OPC office, much to my surprise, she said that I was now on my own. Mary’s parting words: ‘You will do just fine. All you really need is a strong back.’ The last statement is in reference to all the schlepping that the manager of the Club does. I spent the next few weeks cleaning Mary’s desk before my first board meeting when the schlepping began in earnest.”