Novella “Novi” Janice (Little) Parker passed away unexpectedly at her home in Newberry, Michigan on April 1, 2018 at the young age of 44.

Novi was born on August 24, 1973 in Marquette, Michigan to Richard and Janice (Koepp) Little. She grew up in Big Bay, Michigan and was a 1991 graduate of Marquette Senior High School. She married her high school sweetheart Dean Parker in 1994. After moving from Marquette to Newberry, Novi began working for Days Inn as a front desk clerk. From there she received a position at the Tahquamenon Area Library.

Novi and Dean welcomed two daughters into their lives and taught them how to be beautiful individuals. Katie and Krysta were Novi’s entire world and she made sure everyone knew that. Her daughters will always remember her as being a compassionate, uplifting, beautiful mother who always encouraged them to do the unthinkable.

Novi was well known around the community of Newberry. She began working at Forest Insurance Center in 2012 and her coworkers were considered family to her. She was involved with numerous things in the community such as being a Girl Scout Troop Leader as her daughters were growing up, waitressing/bartending/Chaplin at The Fraternal Order of Eagles, supporting her daughters in sporting events throughout school and so much more. She also enjoyed music festivals and was the Teen Tent Coordinator at the Hiawatha Music Festival in Marquette. Due to her eye disease, Lattice Corneal Dystrophy, she was also a spokesperson for the Michigan Eye Bank and starred on a poster put up in Secretary of State Offices all around Michigan.

Novi was a kindhearted individual who did not have a single mean bone in her body. She always had a smile on her face and her smile illuminated the room onto others. She loved animals, especially her dog kids Shamu and Toby. Novi enjoyed the outdoors, walks along Lake Superior, baking, canning, music, and found meaning in the smallest things in life.

Novi is survived by her parents Richard and Janice (Koepp) Little of Big Bay; husband Dean Parker of Newberry; daughters Katherine “Katie” and Krysta Parker, students at Northern Michigan University, both of Newberry; sisters Tessie (Al) Miller of Channing and Cori (Mike) McKevitt of Neguanee; brother-in-law Kirk Marjomaki of Big Bay; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, friends and other family who she loved dearly.

She is preceded in death by her sister Becki Marjomaki of Big Bay 15 months prior, grandparents Richard and Beryl Little of New Hampshire and Emil and Ethel Koepp of Marquette; father-in-law Melvin Parker of Marquette.

Friends may call at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Newberry on Monday, April 9, 2018 from 12:00 noon until 2:00pm. Funeral services will follow at the church at 2:00pm with Pastor Melinda Shriner officiating. Inurnment will take place at the Powell Township Cemetery in Big Bay.

Memorials may be directed to the family to financially assist the college education of Novella's daughters Katie and Krysta.

Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.

Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.