Mrs. Edith Kercso

January 24, 1927 – June 30, 2019

It is with great sorrow that the family announces the passing of our dear mother and grandmother, Edith Kercso. Edith passed away peacefully after 92 years of a remarkable life. She was predeceased in 2008 by her husband of 51 years, Arpad, and is survived by their three children Kim Kercso, Edith (Bob) Hewitt and Robert Kercso, granddaughter Alexandra Kercso, and many, many cousins, nieces and nephews and their families in Hungary.

Edith (nee Jagasits) was born into a noble family in Zalaerdod, Hungary, at a tumultuous time in the country between the two great wars of the last century. She lost her mother at a very young age and then her father when she was a teenager. These experiences shaped the tremendous independent spirit that Edith displayed throughout her life. As a young student, Edith was living in residence at the University of Sopron studying Forestry Science when the Hungarian Uprising broke out in October 1956, when students and intellectuals rebelled against the control of the country by the Soviet Union. She was amongst almost 40,000 Hungarians who fled the conflict and Communist oppression in one of the greatest mass immigration events in Canadian history. Edith was a member of the Sopron teaching and student faculty that was jointly sponsored by the Canadian government and the Faculty of Forestry of the University of British Columbia to immigrate to Canada and continue their studies at the university.

Once in Canada, Edith journeyed across the country and arrived in Abbotsford, B.C. and met and married a fellow Hungarian immigrant, Arpad Kercso. The couple first settled in Nanaimo, B.C., where they had their three children. Arpad was a successful professional engineer and his career took the family to the Lower Mainland, where the family lived in New Westminster, Burnaby and finally their long time home in lovely Point Grey, Vancouver.

Edith loved her family dearly and especially wanted to ensure that her children had a happier, more stable life than she had experienced. She had a sharp, curious mind, a wicked sense of humour, impeccable style and a warm, welcoming manner that endeared her to many. She was a homemaker extraordinaire, with renowned skills in cooking, baking, dressmaking, and decorating. Edith and Arpad excelled at entertaining and socializing with a vast network of friends, especially their fellow Hungarians who became like a second family. Both were involved for many years in the administration and activities of the Hungarian Cultural Society of Vancouver. Edith had a gift for becoming fast friends with the many people she met throughout her life. Edith enjoyed the adventure of travel and experiencing new people and cultures. When work relocated Arpad to other locations in the USA, South America and Spain, Edith and Arpad travelled extensively, finally being able to return to their native Hungary to reunite with family and friends.

After Arpad’s death, Edith maintained an active social life, including travel. She retained her adventurous side, trying new things, like cruise ship travelling and Chinese food that became favourite things. She kept cooking, baking and entertaining and loved looking after her little granddaughter. In later years, Edith was happiest enjoying time in her garden and visits from her family and many dear friends. Unfortunately, Edith endured various health issues throughout her lifetime, but she overcame many of these due to her pragmatic approach to life and strength of character that allowed her to remain active and engaged in life to the very end.

The family wishes to thank the many people who helped look after Edith in her final years, with compassion and professionalism, notably Dr. Kenneth Chan and the care staff at both Purdy 1 at UBC and the second floor of Braddan Private Hospital. We also gratefully acknowledge our mother’s long time care giver, Rosa Head, for her loyal and generous care, and the loving friendship of Kati Revesz who cared for Edith as her own mother.

A Celebration of Edith’s Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at the Hamilton Harron Funeral Home at 5390 Fraser Street, Vancouver BC V5W 2Z1. No flowers by request. Donations in Edith’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC, or a charity of your choosing. Condolences may be offered at HamiltonHarronFunerals.com.