Martha M. Nowak, age 85, of Perrysburg, NY and Englewood, FL passed away at home in Perrysburg on Saturday afternoon, March 14, 2026, surrounded by family. She was born in Gowanda on June 25, 1940, one of three children of Hubert and Elsie (Parsell) Malinowski.
Martha worked various positions throughout the WNYDDSO, J.N. 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 J.N. 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 on November 12, 1983), wintered in Englewood, FL. 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) and 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 losses 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, and Christopher Raymond Nowak; and Ron's daughter, Kim (Greg) Fritschi, got her through.
Martha is survived by her husband, Ronald; son, Dale Covert; Ron's daughter (who was thought of as her own), Kim (Greg) Fritschi; Martha's sister, Alice Gross; sister-in-law, Mary Malinowski; Dennis' wife, Karen (Bob) Foust; along with nieces, nephews and friends both here and in Florida.
A celebration of Martha's life will be held on Saturday, April 11 at 11:00 AM at the Dayton Volunteer Fire Department (please assemble there); a luncheon will follow. Martha will be laid to rest in the family plot in the Jolls Cemetery in Perrysburg.
If desired, memorials may be made to the Perrysburg or Dayton volunteer fire departments, or to a local charity of one's choice.
Arrangements are by the Schindler Funeral Home, 44 Center Street in Gowanda.
