JoAnn Novakowski Mathis

JoAnn Novakowski Mathis, 68, passed away on April 20, 2025, following a two-year fight against her failing body. Her body gave up, not JoAnn. Her sarcastic humor and feisty attitude continued and gave nurses quite a few laughs (and some got a few choice words).

Born August 5, 1956, in Greenwich, to John and Eleanor (Chiapetta) Novakowski. JoAnn was raised in Cos Cob and attended Greenwich Schools.  She spent time during the last several years of her life living with each of her two daughters, in Monroe and Niantic. 

JoAnn was a waitress for multiple establishments throughout her career. She worked for Howard Johnsons in Darien, where she loved to play practical jokes and was warned by some of her State Trooper customers to stop being a ball buster; Wilton Diner; Pat’s Hubba Hubba, where all we can say is she was spicier than the chili; BudDee’s Deli, where her potato salad was a hit; Stamford Pizza Restaurant, where she enjoyed a following from her HoJo’s days along with many new friends; and Zody’s 19th Hole. JoAnn brought wit, sarcasm, and some pranks to every place she worked.

JoAnn loved sports and was very competitive.  For many years she played softball for teams in Greenwich, Stamford, and Darien. She loved pitching and was an asset to each team. She looked forward to passing her love for the game onto her great granddaughters who have lost her much too soon.

JoAnn was a lifelong Yankees fan and went so far as announcing the postponement of her death to see her last UConn Women’s basketball championship and thankfully they did not disappoint. She even got to watch the parade. 

Her love of reading kept the library busy even during the pandemic, often starting a new book to find she had already read it. 

JoAnn’s entire life was always about the kids, not just her own, but her cousins’ kids, niece & nephews, and really any child that crossed her path. She had the energy and enthusiasm that drew children to her. JoAnn was devoted to her grandkids when they were young and more recently the great grandkids. She was famous for always gifting the biggest or loudest toy she could find though I think she took as much pleasure in the kids love of the gift as she did in the annoyance of the parent. 

The beach on a hot summer day was JoAnn’s favorite place to be. When she moved from Cos Cob, her biggest complaint was that Monroe only had a lake. She could be found on Greenwich, Stamford, and Westport beaches on a sunny day.  JoAnn also loved spending time at McCook’s Beach in Niantic with her fur granddaughter, Scarlett.

Predeceased by her parents; son-in-law Robert C. Krajewski; and beloved canine companion, Amos.

Survived by daughters Hope Mathis of Niantic and Jaime Krajewski of Monroe; sister Kim Hadden of Norwalk, brother Rick Novakowski (Laurie) of Stamford; grandsons Zachery & Robert A. Krajewski and Mike Covello; great granddaughters Mia and Concetta; along with her niece and nephews, several cousins, and a few life-long friends.

A Catholic funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 16th, at 11 AM, at Saint Philip Church, 1 Father Conlon Pl, Norwalk, CT 06851.