Vera Glass Novacek

Vera Glass Novacek passed away on December 12, 2025 in Boulder, CO. Vera was born, and raised in Fort Collins, CO, on January 4, 1945 to Rankin and Jessie Glass, the fourth of six children.

Vera attended Fort Collins High School where she was a proud Lambkins cheerleader and graduated in 1963. During high school, she worked at a local nursing home, an early sign of her dedication to working with older adults and people with chronic illnesses. When she had enough money for tuition, she attended classes at Colorado State University and other colleges.

In 1965, Vera and a girlfriend moved to Santa Monica, CA. She married Larry L. Novacek, formerly of Golden, CO, the following year. The couple’s first daughter, Stefanie, was born later that year and a second daughter, Lori, arrived two years later.

Larry worked in offshore drilling as an engineer and the family moved to Louisiana in the early 1970s. As soon as the girls were in elementary school, Vera enrolled in college with the goal of becoming a social worker. The family moved to Alaska then back to Louisiana as Vera pursued her bachelor’s degree in social work.

In 1980, Larry and Vera decided that they wanted their daughters to attend the same school throughout their high school years. They returned to their home state of Colorado, settling in Littleton, now Centennial, where the girls both graduated high school.

In Spring 1982, Vera completed her Master of Social Work from the University of Denver as one daughter finished her sophomore year of high school and her other daughter finished 8th grade. Her determination showed her daughters the importance of achieving one’s goals and helping others. Vera eventually became the Director of Family and Social Services at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Denver. In later years, she also worked for the National Stroke Association and Denver Hospice.

In the 1990s, Larry worked for Exxon Mobil overseas for more than a decade and Vera moved with him once again. Vera and Larry worked and lived in Scotland, Canada, and Qatar. While overseas, Vera worked in Employee Assistance, taught English lessons, and volunteered. Vera and Larry traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

In retirement, Vera and Larry returned to Littleton, CO and enjoyed camping, hiking, and their grandchildren. In 2020, they moved to the Frasier Retirement Community in Boulder. As Larry struggled with Parkinson’s Disease, Vera became his devoted caregiver and advocate. Larry died in February 2024.

Vera is survived by her daughter Stefanie Novacek, her daughter Lori (Mike) McCue, and two grandchildren, Arianna McCue and Carson McCue.

Her service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Horan & McConaty at 5303 E. County Line Rd., Centennial, CO 80122. A reception will follow.

The family welcomes donations to Trailwinds Hospice Foundation.  This link will enable memorial donations via debit/credit or PayPal.

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FCM2BMV832FUU