Obituary of Novia M. Clarke Dennis

Today, we are gathered to celebrate the wonderful life of Novia Maria Clarke Dennis.

Novia was born on September 18, 1961, and passed away at the age of 64 on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. She was the beloved daughter of Cynthia Spencer and Dudley Clarke.

Novia was born on the beautiful island of Jamaica, West Indies, in the parish of Saint Thomas. At the age of 13, she migrated to the United States, where she lived with her mother and siblings and attended Curtis High School. Although she was away from “home,” Novia never forgot where she came from. She was well known for helping children, the elderly, and family members in her community.

Novia’s love for helping others was also reflected in her work as a private home health aide.

Over the years, she cared for several clients and treated each one as if they were part of her own family. She truly loved and enjoyed her work.

Novia was an incredible soul who gave all of herself to every relationship—family and friends alike. She was always a shoulder to lean on and an ear willing to listen. She expressed her love through generosity and thoughtful gifts that showed just how much she cared. She always put others first, especially her children. Her love was also shared with “her boy,” Maxwell, the family dog whom she cherished as one of her own children.

Novia was a devoted wife to Leslie Dennis and an amazing, loving mother to Jamie, Lisa, and Brandon. She was also a loving mother-in-law to Lisa’s husband, Joseph. She is survived on her mother’s side by her siblings Suzette, Dianne, and Paul, and on her father’s side by her siblings Beverly, Sylvia, and numerous other brothers and sisters. Novia is deeply missed by her nieces Maleka and Keisheen, her nephews Yves and Travis, her aunt Vernetta, as well as many other nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, and close family friends.

When we think of Novia, we will remember not the end of her days, but all the days filled with laughter and the beautiful smile she shared so freely with us all.

Funeral from the Matthew Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 2508 Victory Blvd. on Saturday, February 7, 2026 in the funeral home at 10:00 AM. Cremation to follow at Rosehill Crematory, Linden, NJ. Family and friends may visit on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 10:00 to 1:00 PM and 4:30 to 9:00 PM.