Obituary of Clara J. Szekely

February 16, 1931 - October 25, 2017

Clara J. Szekely. Age 86 of Trenton

Beloved wife of Steve Szekely. Loving mother of Sandra (Jimmy) Schmitt, and Stephen (Alanna) Szekely. Dear sister of Theresa Voytek. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and other dear family members. Memorials appreciated to Holy Cross Hungarian Roman Catholic Church, 8423 South Street, Detroit, Michigan 48209. www.holycrosshungarian.com

FAMILY TRIBUTE

     Born Clara Kiraly in 1931 and was number 8 of 9 children of an impoverished Hungarian family who migrated from Hungary to Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Her father passed away when she was only 5, leaving her mother to care and provide for 9 children in a small home during the depression. Every Kiraly kid had to do their part to keep the family afloat and, to that end, she had to quit school at age 12 and begin work in the Troy laundry in Johnstown. To this day she was an expert at laundry! Anything she washed was washed bright clean, then meticulously ironed and truly looked brand new when she was done!

     When she was in her mid-twenties, her older brother, Steve, brought her to Detroit for a summer visit. He had moved there to obtain employment in the automotive industry. The Kirlay’s were fiercely proud of their Hungarian heritage and Steven took her to one of the premier Hungarian nightclubs in Detroit, Grez’s Hungarian Village. It was there that she met the future love of her life, Steve Szekely.

     They were married at Holy Cross Hungarian church in August of 1959, the hottest day of that year! They had a traditional large all day Hungarian wedding…she was radiant bride. For the first two years of their married life, they resided in a small apartment on West Grand Boulevard near the Ambassador Bridge. Sandra was born in 1961. They then bought their first and only home in Trenton, Michigan and added Stephen to the family in 1964.

     She was truly a wonderful mother and a perfect housewife. Her home was always clean, comfortable, and smelled of her good Hungarian cooking. She was loving and caring; her husband and children always came first. She loved to sing and dance and was excellent at both! She was warm and funny and had a way of always making people feel welcomed and loved. She had too many friends to count! And she dearly loved them all. She loved parties, family gatherings, and she loved vacations, especially the beach! She really knew how to have a good time!

     Even though our hearts are broken because of her loss, our hearts are overflowing with all the love we gained in having her in our life. She will be forever loved and cherished.