CUSACK, Amelia A. (Novak) of Dedham, age 94, passed peacefully at home with her children by her side, June 13, 2019. Amy was a loving wife to the late Joseph H. Cusack, and mother to Michael and his wife Rhonda of Mission Viejo, CA, Joseph Jr. (Jay) and his wife Maureen of Ponce Inlet, FL, Christine Cummings and her husband John, Karen Birkett, Eileen Wagner and her husband John (Jack), Leslie Cusack, and Mary Ellen McDonough and her husband Brian all of Dedham. Amy also leaves 17 beloved grandchildren and 18 beautiful great-grandchildren. She was also a caring sister to Adelyn Astarita and the late Robert Novak both of Long Island.
Born in 1924 in Brooklyn, NY, Amy met her husband Joe while he was stationed with the US Navy in New York City during World War II. Joe was assigned to the chaplain, who decided to introduce him to “a nice Catholic girl.” In 1948 Amy moved from Brooklyn to Allston to join the huge Cusack family. She enjoyed close friendships with her many in-laws, countless family holidays and parties, and memorable vacations at Swift’s Beach. In 1960, they moved to Dedham where their seven children attended the public schools, including Leslie who has Down Syndrome. After 20 years of raising children, Amy went to work as a secretary for various boards at Dedham Town Hall, most recently with the Planning Board, loving her work until she retired at the age of 83. She was known for her ready smile, sharp sense of humor, and always looking like a million bucks, with her hair done (weekly at Jennie’s), make-up on, and outfits perfectly accessorized. If you ever wanted to know which book to read, movie or play to see, or who to vote for, you just had to stop by Madison Street where she would be holding court in the living room. Amy enjoyed nothing more than a great Manhattan, straight up, with ice on the side. Amy was most proud of her children and grandchildren and all their accomplishments. They all flourished with her never wavering love and support. She was amazing.
Visiting hours at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St., DEDHAM, Monday, June 17 from 4-8pm. Funeral from the funeral home Tuesday, June 18 at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to The ARC of South Norfolk, 789 Clapboardtree St., Westwood, MA 02090 or the Charles River Center, 59 East Militia Heights Dr., Needham, MA 02492.