Lucia Paskay Aradi

Lucia Catherine Paskay Aradi Posevitz passed from this life into the presence of her Lord on November 15, 2014 at the age of 88. Lucia was born on February 23, 1926 in Mohacs, Hungary to the late Julianna Zupka Paskay and Ferenc Paskay. She was the third of five children: Marta, 93 (Budapest), the late Alexander Paskay (Tampa), Gabriella, 86 (Budapest), and Feríke who died from meningitis at the age of 2.

As a very young girl, Lucia read the book “The Nutcracker” and instantly fell in love with books as they became her constant companion, comfort and escape. An introvert with a keen intellect, she quickly discovered and embraced the beauty of all the classical arts: music, opera, literature, and ballet. Lucia was a realist, but deep down a romantic at heart. She was deeply moved by music, poetry, film, the written word, flowers, children and animals. The song “Plaisir D’Amour” and the film “Brief Encounter” were two of her all time favorite romantic pieces.

Lucia was educated in Sopron, Hungary at the convent, “Daughter of the Divine Redemptor”. As a teen, she witnessed and experienced first hand many of the terrors of WWII, as Germans and then Russians occupied Hungary.

After graduating from high school, Lucia worked as a stenographer at City Hall for the Mayor’s Office in Mohacs, Hungary. It was there that she met the love of her life and husband-to-be, Steven Aradi, who happened to be the Aide to the Mayor. She often recalled that when they first met they couldn't stand each other, but eventually fell in love once they got to know one another. Steven, also a romantic at heart, wooed her with flowers, love letters and gypsy serenaders. They were engaged on her birthday, February 23, 1948, and were married on September 10, 1949 at a Wedding Mass which took place at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Mohacs. Their honeymoon was at her father-in-law’s vineyard near the Danube River.

Although newly married and experiencing the joy of their first son, Miklos (Nicholas), 1950 was not a good year for Lucia and Steven. The Communists began their reign of repression by not allowing Hungarian citizens to travel freely within their own country. The oppressive force of the Communists affected every aspect of Lucia and Steven’s life — from keeping their jobs, to not being able to practice their Catholic faith (which they refused to relinquish). If the Communist Party found out that you attended church, you would lose your job.

In October 1956, the Hungarians rose up and rebelled against the oppressive forces of the Russian Communist puppet regime (“The Hungarian Revolution”). Unfortunately, the Hungarians were crushed and silenced by the Russian Army. Lucia’s husband, Steven, was an outspoken opponent of the Communist Party and as such, was on a list of “enemies of the State” who were to be arrested, imprisoned, beaten and/or killed. Lucia and Steven had no choice but to flee their homeland.

On January 24, 1957, in the dark of night, a local family friend and farmer transported the Aradis by horse-drawn sled to the Yugoslav border where they and their 3 young sons (Miklos, 6, György, 5, and Gabriel, 2) found their way to a refugee camp. Lucia and Steven were not allowed to tell anyone, not even family, because it would mean certain imprisonment or possibly death to them or anyone who had knowledge of their plan of escape. (The farmer who guided them to the border of Yugoslavia was beaten severely, imprisoned and eventually died for aiding in their escape.)

The Aradi family remained in Yugoslavia for 6 months, having moved to 11 different refugee camps during that time. They eventually were sponsored by Lucia’s brother, Alexander Paskay, who was attending law school at the University of Miami. They arrived in New York City on September 1, 1957, then days later settled in Miami, FL. Lucia was 30. Steven was 36.

With no money and no language, they slowly rebuilt their lives in Miami, FL with the help of the Paskay family. Steven’s first job was as a janitor at the University of Miami. Lucia was a maid, then a bookkeeper at the University of Miami.

Lucia had her fourth child, a daughter, Alexandra (Sandy), in 1962. She said “when Sandy was born, our fortunes took off”. Steven started his own painting contracting business and they bought their dream home in the Westchester area of Miami. Through much sacrifice and hardship, they achieved their goals of raising and providing for their family without fear of persecution or death. Lucia and Steven loved their Westchester neighbors and enjoyed a wide circle of friends, especially from the Hungarian community in Miami via The Kossuth Hall, a Hungarian-American social club.

Sadly, Lucia lost her husband Steven, in May of 1977 due to melanoma. She once again suffered a great loss and had to rebuild her life alone. Lucia sold their home in Miami and moved to St. Petersburg, FL. In 1981, she married Albert Posevitz, a colleague of her father’s from Mohacs. Lucia and Albert lived a beautiful, peaceful life on his farm in Dayton, Ohio, spending their winters in St. Petersburg.

Sadly, once again Lucia was widowed in 1987 as Albert succumbed to cancer, — yet another loss for her to overcome. Happiness returned to Lucia’s life when her grandchildren started to arrive, eventually blessing her with 8 grandchildren: Stephanie, Al, Andrew, Emily, Stephen, Mikaela, Madeleine & Peter.

Lucia was grateful for and loved all of her daughters-in-law: Audrey Halpern Aradi, Naomi Hayes Aradi, and Lisa Recchione Aradi. She had a special closeness with her first and only son-in-law, Sandy’s husband, Chris, whom she loved like a son and who always made her laugh.

Lucia was an exemplary homemaker, cooking everything from scratch, especially Hungarian dishes which to this day bring back fond family memories to all who knew her. Attempts to replicate her dishes never quite measure up to her originals.

Despite her many losses in life, Lucia persevered and continued to be a devoted mother, grandmother, classical arts lover and most importantly, a faithful follower of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Lucia is survived by her 3 sons: Nicholas (Audrey), George (Naomi) and Gabriel (Lisa) and daughter, Alexandra/Sandy (Chris); and her 8 grandchildren: Stephanie & Al Aradi, Andrew & Emily Aradi (Bauman), Stephen & Mikaela Aradi, and Madeleine & Peter Miller. Lucia also is survived two sisters-in-law, Rose Paskay (Tampa) and Eva Aradi (Largo), as well as many beloved nieces and nephews in Hungary, Germany and Switzerland.

A funeral Mass will be held for Lucia at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 13 (St. Lucia Day), 2014 at St. Jude Catholic Church in Tequesta, FL. Lucia will be buried next to her husband, Steven, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in Miami, FL.

In memory of Lucia, donations may be made to one of the following: Ballet Palm Beach (balletpalmbeach.org), Chrohn’s Colitis Foundation (CCFA.org), or Huntington’s Research Foundation (chdifoundation.org).