Magyar News, 1996. szeptember-1997. augusztus (7. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1996-12-01 / 4. szám
Home of ancestors: RUDABANYA by Betty Gombos Turrell It was our second trip to Hungaiy. Nine years ago and this year in July. Lillian, Daniel and Elizabeth and I visited our mothers(Elizabeth Vincze Gombos) homeland Rudabanya. My daughters, Betty and June were anxious to find the right year to come along with us to see where their Grandma Vincze grew up and to meet the cousins. One can say it should be a quick decision, get the passports in order and just go - we did that. This Vincze family has the “love of family” instilled in their very soul. Also education is most important to them. The changes this time compared to the previous visit were very evident. Many of the young people learned the English language taught in their schools. We are so proud of them. It was a delightful revelation. Betty and June could converse and ask questions while Lillian Dan and I were having a wonderful visit with the elders of the Vincze family and enjoying the Hungarian language. Even the streets were named for a family. There are eleven Vincze families who live very close to the Precious Rudabanya church. This lovely village is tucked in the northeastern rolling hills of Hungaiy with lush green grass and trees. The homes are built of brick and nestled in the hillside - each owner so happy and humble The families stayed close to one another and are good neighbors. They raise vegetables, fruit trees and bees. We all took a walk to the Village Cemeteiy. We had to do this walk. Since our first visit, we lost a dear cousin, Vincze Bela. His wife and dear family accompanied us. We placed a silk red rose upon his grave brought from America. We had the privilege of examining grave stones of generations past. A cousin, Ildikó, now living in Miskolc, created a beautifUl headstone with her ability and artistic hands. There rested our great grandparents, aunts, uncles and babies bom and died too soon. There were groomed, fenced graves. Some of them overgrown, this showed us the young of the families have moved away after their education and their marriages to partners out of town and could not help at the home town. Our discussions were in both Hungarian and English. This all was most interesting and our cousins tried to communicate Genealogy to us, the American relatives. Hand-holding, hugs, pats on cheeks and a walk back to a Vincze home and then everyone reminiscing - there were our old photos sent to relatives over the years - who keep us in their hearts and minds as we do! We noticed physical genetic resemblances in faces and stature. There were Christmas cards and photos of our first visit. Also they took out three children dresses kept and used by two generations of cousins. One of these were given to us to be worn once again by my youngest granddaughter for her first day of school here in America. We enjoyed feasting together with delicious home-made traditional meals. We toasted one another and asked God to keep us all in good health so that one time soon at least a couple can come to visit us in America. We will work toward the reality and fulfillment of it. Out of the her Vincze family only my mother came to America. She married and raised a good family here. It was a blessing as this family was able to help our relatives in Rudabanya with medications making their lives more productive. We also shared clothing with them. Several of our cousins are graduate school teachers with positions in Salgótarján and Miskolc, and one cousin’s wife sings at the Opera house on occasions. She also performs in Montreal with the touring part of the Company. Conversation about teaching methods in Hungaiy and in America was veiy eye opening. Our most special gift to bring home is a large hard covered book of the “Calvinist Churches in Hungary” with beautiful photos and is written in English. Thanks to cousin Vincze Attila. We shall always cherish this gift. Upon leaving the hotel in Miskolc - we had a wonderful few days stay at the Beke Continental Hotel in Budapest. We embarked upon a very informative and memorable tour of the city with our guide - college graduate Zsuzsanna - who spoke English very well. Of course we left Hungary with a fond memory. Elizabeth Gombos Turrell & Family LETS GO LESKO We congratulate John Lesko, president of the Lesko Funeral Home in Fairfield, who with the loving support of his darling wife, Mallory, has become the new president of the local Kiwanis Club. He said “probably it is one of the most driven and dedicated organizations I’ve ever had the pleasure to belong to.” We wish him success and it fill us with joy to see an American Hungarian at the helm of this great organization. Visit at Rudabanya. Betty, István, Elizabeth Turrell and Lillian. In the background the school and the bell tower of the church. Page 7
