Sonja Novak Kirk

Sonja Novak Kirk, 83, of 35 Vista Dr., Candler, died Thursday, November 16, 2006, at Mission Hospital Memorial Campus. A native of Forest City, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Frances Klemencic Novak. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Frances DiMaggio, and Albina Howard, and by her brother, Edward Novak. Sonja was retired from Simpson, Thacher, and Bartlett Law Firm in New York City, where she held a secretarial management position. Her previous jobs were equally significant including, personal secretary to the late United Mine Workers leader John L. Lewis, in Washington, DC. Locally, she worked as a volunteer at the rectory office and gift shop of Basilica of St. Lawrence, Asheville, and for several years at Mission Hospitals Memorial Campus. Mrs. Kirk was loved and cherished by her companion of 30 years, John Esposito, and is survived by brothers, Milan Novak and wife Virginia, of Athens, Greece, and Richard Novak and wife Eleanor, of Castleton-on-Hudson, NY; nieces, Karen Soma and husband Mani, of Seattle, WA, Deborah Gately and husband Dennis, of Livermore, CA, Rose Lubaszewski and husband Thomas, of Forest City, PA, and Carol Flynn and husband Patrick, of Honesdale, PA; and nephews, Edward Novak and wife Annette, of Lake Ariel, PA, and James Novak, of Castleton-on-Hudson, NY. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Basilica of St. Lawrence with Rev. Fr. C. Morris Boyd officiating. Interment will follow at St. Joseph?s Cemetery, in Forest City, PA. A rosary will be said 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at Groce Funeral Home at Patton Ave., followed by a visitation until 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to her favorite charity, St. Jude?s Children?s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN, 38105.