Helen Fogarassy
(September 9, 1926- December 25, 2009)

Helen Fogarassy was born in Szombathely, Hungary on September 9, 1926 to Clemens and Helene Skerl. She passed away December 25, 2009 at Miller's Merry Manor, Hobart, IN. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, John Fogarassy-Alsovisti; her first child, Marika Fogarassy and loving parents: Clemens and Helene Skerl. She is survived by her loving daughter, Helen C. Fogarassy-Johnston (Robert); loving son, Steve (Freya) Fogarassy; along with daughters: Stephanie Fogarassy and Amity Clair (Dan) Schkyer; great grandsons: Zachary and Ben Schlyer and brothers: Joseph and Fr. Alphonse Skerl. Helen was a product of Catholic schools: Francis Joseph Teachers' College of Szekesfehervar of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and the University of Szeged, where she received a Master's Degree in Education. She taught for 20 years in Gyula, first in the Catholic schools unit of nationalization (1948) and then in public schools in numerous capacitates, including principal and finally district supervisor, until the revolution of 1956. Helen and her family fled Hungary after the ill-fated revolution of 1956, and after arrival in Austria, applied for political asylum on December 9, 1956 in Wels. Shortly thereafter, they arrived in Bregenz, Vorarlberg, to join her parents until their immigration to the United States of America on August 8, 1957. After arrival in Gary, IN, she was employed in the housekeeping department of St. Mary's Hospital and after completing surgical technician training, she worked until her retirement in late 1989 in Gary and later in the Hobart campus, where she was also an instructor for surgical procedures for trainees and a faculty member at Ivy Tech of Gary. After her retirement from St. Mary's hospital, she joined her brother's Parish, Holy Trinity Hungarian in East Chicago as a staff member as housekeeper/public relations liaison until her death. Helen was an accomplished artist in multi-mediums including furniture design/decoration and embroidery, with her work meriting numerous publication in the local Hungarian press. Her cooperation in inter-religious affairs was acknowledged by a citation of the Calvin Synod of the UCC as consultant to the Calvin Synod Herald. Signed by the presiding Bishop, The Right Reverend Koloman Karl Ludwig and Synod General Secretary, the Right Reverend Louis Medyesi. In spite of advancing illness, Helen remained an avid traveler to the very end, making sure that her youngest family members would have the opportunity to learn about the values and character of their European ancestry. She made it her business to learn as much as possible about her adopted country from sea to shining sea: from New York to Los Angeles from Niagara to the Blue Mountains. In the secret recesses of her private quarters, Helen had an immense library covering a wide range of subjects, including literature, music, travel, science medicine, social issues, history, politics and particularly the mystery of communistic "success." She had a horde of albums of photographic exploits documenting every facet of her family and professional life . Her video and music libraries were vast. Her unpublished memoir about her life during the Second World War and under communism was titled BEHIND GOD'S BACK, and was published as a novel in 2007. She was a member of the Kossuth Club and the Hungarian American Citizen's Club. In her memory, please consider making a memorial donation in honor of Helen to Holy Trinity Hungarian Church or the Diocese of Gary. Helen's generosity, openness, intelligence, humor, wit and zest for life made her beloved by all. Her spirit lives on in her family and in all who loved her. Your devoted prayers for the repose of her soul and for the consolation of her beloved family members will be most appreciated.
Published in THE TIMES on December 27, 2009