Martha M. Nowak

Born in Gowanda June 25, 1940 the daughter of Hubert and Elsie (Parsell) Malinowski one of 3 children.

Martha worked various positions throughout the WNYDDSO, JN Adam Developmental Center. She retired after nearly 40 years of state employment . At the time of her retirement Martha worked supervising the client workshop through JN Adam in Gowanda. She was a foster grandparent to many she taught and was there to bring out the best in all her clients abilities to help them recognize and navigate through daily living situations through her mentorship that we all take for granted .

The Gowanda/Perrysburg area was home for her and where she raised her children. Martha was able to enjoy retirement , she and her husband, Ronald Nowak, whom she married in Silver Creek, Nov. 12, 1983) wintered in Englewood , Florida. She was a kind soul that found the beauty in her surroundings and depended on her faith to get through difficult and trying times. Martha’s father Hubert Malinowski passed away in 1948, Elsie , (Martha’s mom )being a young widow re married. Elsie Rymer passed away in 2014. She also had to bear witness to the loss of three of her children , Patti Ann Covert (1959) Terrie Jo Covert (1984) Dennis Covert (2002) ,Martha’s brother Michael Malinowski (2019), Ronald’s son Christopher Nowak (2021) and Ronald’s grandson Griffin Nowak (2022). Martha, through the love of family was able to endure these loss’s and find the beauty and love of family through her faith and looked at life with the strength others would find difficult and unable to do . She did it. Her love for her grandchildren; Alaina Covert (John), Deanna Britsky (Rick), Brittany (Dave) Bodekor, Chris Nowak (Kelli), Christopher Fritschi (Hui), Matthew and Sara Fritschi along with Great grandchildren Owen and Zaydee Bodekor , Christopher Raymond Nowak, Ron’s daughter Kim (Greg) Fritschi got her through.

Martha is survived by her husband, Ronald, her son, Dale Covert, Ron’s daughter, (who was thought of as her own) Kim (Greg) Fritschi, Martha’s sister, Alice Gross and sister in-law, Mary Malinowski also survives along with Dennis’s wife Karen (Bob) Foust, nieces, nephews and friends both here and in Florida.

A Celebration of Martha’s life will be held Saturday April 11, 2026 @ 11 am at the Dayton Volunteer Fire Dept, Dayton, NY (please assemble there); a luncheon will follow. Martha will be laid to rest in the family plot in the Jolls Cemetery, Perrysburg . If desired, memorials may be made to the Perrysburg or Dayton Volunteer Fire Dept . or to a local charity of ones choice.

Arrangements are by the SCHINDLER FUNERAL HOME 44 Center St. Gowanda.