Aranka Bozzay's Obituary
In loving memory of Aranka Bozzay, born on July 31, 1936, in Budapest, Hungary. She was the beloved middle child of Illona Derecskei and Jozsef Czebe, sharing her childhood and formative years with six siblings. Aranka trained and worked as a mechanical draftsperson in Hungary for over a decade before embarking on a transformative journey to the United States.
In 1968, Aranka made the courageous decision to leave her homeland to work in Austria. While living in Austria, she was presented with the opportunity to immigrate to the US. With determination and resilience, she made her way to Flushing, NY on May 15th, 1969, from a refugee camp in Traiskirchen, a village just outside of Vienna, Austria. Aranka sought a better life and God’s guidance for her path ahead, becoming the only one in her large family to immigrate to the US. She was invited to move to Akron, Ohio, by friends from Hungary who had already established themselves there. In Akron, Aranka felt more at home with fellow Hungarian immigrants and other like-minded Christians.
It was there that the Lord brought her to Miklos, a widower with two young children. Their union on February 23, 1975, marked the beginning of a new chapter filled with love and devotion. The happy newlyweds made their home in Chicago, Illinois. A few months later, the children, who had been living in Hungary with their maternal grandparents, returned to the US for Miklos Jr. to start kindergarten. Miklos Jr. was 5 years old, and Rozalia was 4 years old. Aranka was overjoyed to finally be a mom and poured her love into their children. She took care of the household and, along with her husband, raised the children to know the love of God. What she loved more than anything was being a mom, and when God blessed her with grandchildren, her heart overflowed with abundant love and joy. She doted on them, loving and adoring every single one.
Aranka was preceded in death by her husband, Miklos, four months prior. She is survived by her two cherished children and their spouses: Miklos Jr. and his wife, Yael Bozzay, and Rozalia and her husband, Brian Strassheim. The Bozzay family tree branches into eight beloved grandchildren and their spouses: Michelle and Cristian, Sant and Morgan, Killian and Leah, Quinn, Eleanor, Savannah and River, Zane, and Joshua. Three great-grandchildren, Alyvia, Emileena, and Amoura, two additional great-grandchildren expected in June, will complete the beautiful tapestry of her beloved family.
Aranka and Miklos enjoyed spending time with extended family, especially those living in Chicago. Tibor Bozzay, Miklos’ brother, and his wife Pearl and their five children, Gingi, Tibor, Esther, Steve, and Tom Bozzay made many happy memories, sharing special family time and holidays together. Miklos and Aranka were blessed to reconnect with their nieces and nephews and their families when they moved to Escondido, California, making more cherished memories later in life.
Aranka and Miklos embraced life's adventures, living in various places and creating memories along the way. They called Chicago home for over 25 years but decided to escape the cold Midwestern winters after retirement, relocating to sunny Sarasota, Florida. Fifteen years later, they relocated to Rittman, Ohio. Longing to be closer to family, they made their final move to Escondido, California, where their son Miklos Jr. and other relatives resided. Throughout their journey, they cherished the love and friendships they formed, grateful for the connections that enriched their lives.
As we bid farewell to Aranka Bozzay, let us celebrate a life well-lived—a narrative etched with love, faith, and the enduring bonds of family and community.
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