Ida Szodomka Brown

Ida Szodomka Brown passed away on February 21, 2026, at the age of 88, surrounded by her loving family. She was the youngest of 10 children by almost 20 years, including seven brothers and two sisters, all of whom predeceased her.

Ida was born in Labatlan, Hungary, on April 29, 1937, to Maria Mihalovics and Ferenc Szodomka. In 1938, due to political circumstances in Hungary and her father's ill health, it was decided that 1-year-old Ida would be adopted by her paternal uncle, Julius Nicholas Szodomka, who had relocated to the United States, but it would take another 12 years for Ida to reach her adoptive father.

A merchant marine, Julius had jumped ship in Savannah, Georgia, with 25 cents in his pocket. He headed to New Orleans, where he started Dixie Machine Welding & Metal Works. The success of the business enabled Julius to start a legal campaign to bring his adoptive daughter to America — the first alien child to immigrate here unaccompanied.

Ida’s early years had been spent with her mother in Hungary. She would often recall the terror of bomb raids and the intense hunger of the war years, as well as her first pair of shoes that “fit”. Finally, in 1948, her mother, in an incredibly selfless act, put her on a train, telling her that she was going to spend the weekend with relatives in Vienna. In actuality, it was the beginning of her trip to America. The train ride turned into a smuggling operation into Austria, a ransom demand, and more than two years spent in an orphanage. Finally, on October 23, 1950, Ida arrived in New Orleans and into the loving arms of her adoptive father — a momentous occasion recorded in a photograph in the New Orleans Item.

In New Orleans, she joined her adoptive sister, Gizelda Szodomka Trist. Ida graduated from Isadore Newman School and attended Newcomb College of Tulane University. She loved summering at Camp Gulf Park. On July 13, 1956, she married Herbert Daniel Hughes. They had two children, Herbert “Danny” Daniel Hughes, II (Maura) and Elizabeth “Beth” Hughes DePass (Keith). At the age of 23, Ida was finally able to reunite with her mother, Maria, bringing her to live with her young family and children. Maria remained with them until her death in 1965. After a divorce, Ida married Elder Brown in 2002; he passed away a year later

Ida’s first love was always her family. She remained close to her two biological sisters until their deaths, regularly visiting Hungary with her children and bringing her sisters and their families to America. She assisted them with financial support and showered them with care packages.

Ida’s second love was America; she was beyond grateful for her good fortune in making it here. She was a volunteer at the World War II Museum and was active in the New Orleans Hungarian community. She was always ready to help her son with his duties as Honorary Consul of Hungary, including planning events and translating all correspondence. She also developed a great affection for Mexico, and eventually built and donated a school to a small town there.

Ida loved to entertain and was a fabulous cook, particularly Hungarian and Louisiana fare. She was a talented painter, exceptional piano player, and spoke four languages.

Most people, however, will remember Ida for her unfailing kindness and generosity. She always wanted to help. Her morning phone calls invariably included, “Can I do anything for you today?” Whether it was cooking, picking up groceries, spending time with her great-granddaughter, Eloise, babysitting her grand dog, or driving her famous “airport shuttle,” she was game. She enjoyed lunching and shopping with friends, and she could always be expected to bring sandwiches to friends at her pharmacy and salon. She especially loved Christmas: Every Christmas morning started with her homemade Eggs Benedict and Grillades and Grits. She maintained a fierce independence through her lifetime, driving until the end.

In addition to her son and daughter, Ida is survived by six grandchildren: Danyael Hughes Graham (Matthew), William Keith DePass, V (Olivia), Hunter Passman Hughes (Marissa), Nicholas Hughes DePass, Lea Marie Hughes, and Jenni Hughes Simpkins (James); and four great-grandchildren: Damon Samuel Graham, Ryan Matthew Graham, Julianna Rose Simpkins, and Eloise Reed DePass.

A visitation will be held from noon to 2:00 pm on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124. The interment will follow within Metairie Cemetery.