Lorretta Joan Novak

Loretta Joan Novak Loretta Joan Novak, 76, of Cambria, California, passed away October 25th after a five-year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Loretta was born in Los Angeles in 1942. Following graduation from Burbank High School and Northridge University, Loretta became a social service Inspector for Los Angeles County where she met and married Larry Novak in 1969. Loretta lived in Glendale, California for over thirty years, where she raised two children and established a career in property management. Loretta pursued her passion for learning at Long Beach University and learned the Chinese language while earning a Master degree in Asian American Studies. Her research and subsequent volunteer work focused on Amerasian children of U.S. servicemen immigrating to the United States. In 2003 she pursued her life -long passion, painting, and moved to Cambria, where she became involved with the plein air artist community and dedicated time to her artwork every day. Loretta was happiest when out painting with the Wednesday Irregulars or hiking through the EastWest ranch woods with her neighbors and her very large dog, Cuddles. Loretta's everlasting excitement for adventure continues on within her children Curt and Amber and grandchildren Aundrea, Kevin, Kimberly, Erek, Asher and Jacobi. Loretta will be buried in a private family ceremony in the Cambria cemetery. A public celebration of her life, memory and art will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please take time to enjoy the outdoors, snuggle a dog, or make a fanciful drawing, as that is what Loretta would have wanted.