Mrs. Eva Samu

Eva Marie Samu (née Nagy) beloved wife, life companion, mother, grandmother and friend to many, passed away peacefully after post-surgery complications on the morning of Monday, January 6, 2025. She was born on November 23, 1939 in the beautiful southern Hungarian city of Szeged ... the daughter of Rosalia Nagy (née Apatoczky) and Ferenc Nagy.

The family relocated to the Ferencvaros district of Budapest and she grew up during a turbulent era in European history which encompassed WW2 and culminated in the Hungarian revolution in October 1956. At the age of 17 the Soviet (re-)invasion of Hungary induced her, with her uncle, to seek refugee status in nearby Austria. At the age of 18 she subsequently immigrated to Canada, landing at Halifax's now historical Pier 21. She did not subsequently join her uncle in a northern Ontario gold mining town near Kirkland Lake and instead chose to make the 4,561 km cross country trek to Calgary ... a series of decisions that she never once regretted.

Shortly after arriving in the small (pop. 228,000) city of Calgary she began her life with very little (i.e. CAD $20 / person ... and a 'good luck’, courtesy of the government) and with no English language skills, job opportunities were limited. Ultimately she found gainful short term employment as a live-in au pair for a German speaking family. Later employment stops took her to working in the CPR laundry facility for the Palliser Hotel, a similar capacity at the Foothills Hospital and then on to self-employed 'freelance domestic engineering' for the next 40 years or so ... officially retiring at the age of 70.

Eva met Joseph in 1959 they married and went on to raise two children with the combination of the values/ethics of the Catholic church and traditions of Hungarian culture ... She was keen to play a large voluntary role in the support of youth initiatives in both the church and overall Hungarian community for a great many years. She also took a personal interest in the plight of future immigrants ... lending a helping hand whenever she felt that she could make a difference. She supported Salvation Army endeavors and whenever called upon, assisted in local (Wildwood) community efforts.

A turn-of-events resulted in Eva finding a life-partner in William ( 'Bill / Öcsi' ) Lakatos, with whom she shared 35 years of like-minded-living ... simply enjoying each other's company , travelling with friends and family to many a global destination and taking pleasure / appreciating the fruits of their many years of labor that led to their happy retirement years together.

Eva was predeceased by her parents , uncle , husband Joseph , Heather (daughter-in-law) , William and sadly, a good many / most of her contemporaries and best friends ... for which she was eternally, insurmountably saddened. Eva is survived by sons Jerry ( Calgary ) and Peter ( Göd, Hungary ) and family ... Julianna ( daughter-in-law ) Petra & Sophie ( granddaughters ) and Gabe Frey ( niece ).

... and many others who the Samu Family would wish to acknowledge and thank ... those whom over-the-years were 'pillars of strength' for , 'lent their ears' to and unconditionally , lovingly assisted Eva in her times of need ... Gabe , Kati , Eva , Ildiko , Rosa and Debbie , Franco and Nella ...

The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Jacques Chapel, South Calgary Funeral Centre 12700 Macleod Trail SE. Calgary, Alberta T2J 7E5. Reception to follow on the premises.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join the service streamed live or if unable to view ... alternatively the recorded version will be posted.

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczNzEzNzU3OTM0NTk5NSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

If friends so desire, (in lieu of flowers) memorial tributes may be made to the Humane Society, Cancer Fund and / or Salvation Army