Magdaline Szalai

Magdaline Szalai, 83, of Lorain, passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021, at Mercy Health Lorain Hospital following a short illness.

She was born May 27, 1938, in Budapest, Hungary, to the late John Szalai and Johanna “Janka” Neubrand. During the Hungarian Revolution, Magdaline and her mother fled Hungary. Her mother was able to use cigarettes that she earned while working in the tobacco factory to help fund their escape to the United States. Magdaline was part of the first refugees to settle in Lorain in 1956 and she was also the first of the refugees in Lorain to get married. She married Paul Gyeszat in 1957 and together they had seven children. She graduated high school in Budapest and earned an associate degree from Lorain County Community College.

While raising her family, she worked various jobs including teaching at Lorain Head Start. Magdaline then worked for the former Lorain Products for over 20 years. Since then, she worked for the Lorain School System and recently for Constellation School in Lorain until she recently became ill.

She was a member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Lorain; the American Hungarian Council and she volunteered many hours at Hungarian Reformed Church in Lorain.

She was an avid Browns and Buckeyes fan and enjoyed going to casinos and working on crossword puzzles. She was very big into her family and loved kisses and hugs.
Surviving are her sons, Peter Gyeszat of Lorain, John (Cathy) Gyeszat of Tehachapi, CA, Thomas (Brenda) Gyeszat of LaGrange, and James of Lorain; a daughter, Magdaline “Maggie” Gyeszat (Tony Howell) of Lorain; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Sue Gyeszat of Toledo; and son-in-law Reggie Williams of Lorain.
Besides her parents, she was also preceded in death by her ex-husband, Paul Gyeszat Sr.; her son, Paul Gyeszat Jr.; and daughter, Anna Williams.

Private services for the family will be held. The Dovin Funeral and Cremation Specialists, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain, is handling the arrangements.