About Susan Novick

Susan Novick devoted her life to finding and creating happiness for her family, friends, and those in need. She had deep-seated values, an emphatic appreciation of life and nature, and a profound committment to philanthropic endeavors. She was married to Robert Novick for 45 years, had four children, eight grandchildren and a great-grandson, all of whom she loved dearly. She was a persuasive individual who spoke her mind and stood up for what she believed in, but she was deeply sensitive and compassionate.

She came to Vineland in l972, and immediately became dynamic in the community. Susan received honors for her many years of service to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization. She was an avid tennis player who served as chairperson of the United Way Tennis Classic for over 20 years. She was active in the Temple Beth Hillel Synagogue in Carmel, New Jersey and was the co-president of the Sisterhood. She created a weekly reading group for children, where she became known and adored by the moniker “Miss Sue”. She directed a book exchange in East Vineland, coached youth soccer and tee-ball, and worked both as an employee and volunteer for decades at senior citizen residences in Cumberland County.

However, Susan Novick’s hallmark was extending subtle niceties and kindnesses to others in daily life. She thrived on creating pleasures for others through ‘small talk” and gestures. Committed to living each day to the fullest, she had little time for sleep and kept lists of positive thoughts in her home, which she shared with her family and friends. A matriarchal rock, she found solutions to the problems of her loved ones and taught them to see the glass as half full in times of turbulence. She demonstrated inclusiveness, taking in nieces and nephews and creating extra chairs around her table for friends or seniors in need of a Passover seder or Thanksgiving meal. She was an eternal optimist who had a positive impact on the lives of everyone who knew her.

Susan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May of 2004. She underwent a very difficult whipple surgery, which required multiple hospitalizations. She remained hopeful and fought valiantly, teaching her family and friends the meaning of courage during adversity. During her illness, she continued to turn conversations toward others and she derived pleasure and diverted pain by hearing of the lives of her loved ones. Her family found her nothing short of heroic. Pancreatic cancer claimed her life on December 5, 2006, at the age of 66.

As a lover of both sports and worth charitable endeavors, Susan would no doubt be pleased and honored to lend her name to this PanCAN event.

Read a poem written by Susan's husband Bob.