Ann M. (Novak) Yartin

Ann Marie “Annie” (Novak) Yartin, 90, Gallitzin, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2019. She was born on Feb 10, 1929 in Gallitzin, the daughter of John and Cecelia (Ulmanek) Novak.  On June 4, 1949 she married Pete A. Yartin at St. Mary Catholic Church Gallitizn, by Fr. John Chraca.  Pete’s death on Oct 23, 2014, ended a union of 65 years. Ann is survived by 2 daughters:  Marilyn (Eugene) Myers, Gallitzin, and Jo Anne (Michael) Leap of Collegeville.  She was Gram to 4:  Maria Urbain, Cresson, Eugene (Jennifer) Myers, Cresson, Lisa (Jae) Smith, Gallitzin, and Casey Leap, Collegeville.  Most importantly, she was GiGi to 6:  Thomas C and Samuel Urbain, Maren Myers, Autumn, Noah and Margaret Smith.  Also surviving are her brother Joseph (Sandy) Novak of Manassas, VA, sisters in law Fayeann (Ray) Bone of Stafford, VA, and Sophie Yartin of Cresson, special great niece and nephew Abby and Zach Novak, and numerous other nieces and nephews.  She was grateful for the rides and meals provided to her by Carolyn Sylvester and the Midway Café and for the fellowship of her “coffee klatch” daily at Helen Saylor’s after Mass.  Ann was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael John,  her infant twin sister, Katherine, and these brothers and sisters:   Paul (Sophie) (Kay), Thomas, John, Cecelia (Sylvester) Krawczyk, Helen (Jack) Kulick,   Nephews David Kulick and Joseph Krawczyk, niece Elaine Kulick,   Mother and father in-law Michael  and Mary (Smilnak) Yartin and brother/sister In-laws Michael (Sharon), George, John, Thomas  Helen (Joseph) Nazad, Dorothy (Lou) McGuire, Mary (Walter) Lassak,  and Grandson in-Law, Thomas B. Urbain. Ann was a graduate of Gallitzin High School in 1947, and officially retired from Publix Shirt Factory in 1991, but she never stopped working. Whether she was making soup for a quick Sunday dinner, an annual birthday dinner for the kids, or just trying at a new recipe she happened to come across, you knew it was never a dull moment with Gigi.   Her skillet potatoes and macaroni salad were what brought our picnics together.  She enjoyed preparing the traditional Christmas Eve “Wigilia”. Though she was fond of saying that “no one ever takes me anywhere”, she still managed to have her Christmas Shopping done  (And usually wrapped!) by August most years, and she gave the best (sometimes INTERESTING!) presents.   The older she got, the more friends she made as she was not shy about just striking up a conversation with whoever happened to be in her radius.  She also became famous for her “GiGi-isms”, just zinging people and ending with the remark “I’m 90, I can say what I want!” Ann cared deeply about her Catholic Faith, with daily Mass and saying several rosaries plus her many novenas, each for a special family member’s intentions.  She mourned the loss of St Mary Church when it was razed a few years ago. She was very diligent in sending cards and donations to her local priests, the Little Sisters of Jesus in Gallitzin, and to the Carmelites in Loretto.    She had been an avid supporter of Gallitzin Ambulance Bingo.  Many fundraisers are going to have to recover from the loss of income as she bought something from everyone everywhere we went (even if she had to borrow someone else’s money to do it.).  She enjoyed trips to the “Dollar Store”, eating out, and going to her Great Grandkid’s events. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to All Saints Catholic School, 220 Powell Ave Cresson PA 16630 or to St Demetrius Church 811 Church St Gallitzin Pa 16641.   Take a moment today to do an act of kindness for someone and remember Ann in a special way. Friends will be received from 4 to 8 pm Friday at Gibbons Funeral Home, 301 Church Street, Gallitzin where a vigil service will be held Friday. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am Saturday at St. Demetrius Catholic Church, Gallitzin the Rev. Albert Ledoux celebrant. Committal Resurrection Mausoleum.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ann M. (Novak) Yartin, please visit our floral store.