Irene Mihalyfi passed away at the age of 92, after a long illness, on June 20, 2019,
at her home surrounded by loving family.
She was born on May 2, 1927, in Budapest Hungary, the eldest of six children
to Kalman and Iren Gabor.
After completing her gimnazium studies in the throes of World War ll, she received her diploma from the Budapest College of Fine Arts, majoring in textile design. She married in 1955.
She emigrated from Hungary with her husband in 1956, during the Hungarian Revolultion arriving in the United States in 1957, and started a family after first settling in New Brunswick N.J. then later moving to East Brunswick.
She distinguished herself as a talented and creative textile designer, working for several prominent textile design studios in Manhattan - most recently for Golding Inc. Her career spanned nearly 30 years.
Irene also expressed her many faceted talents as an artist in her painting portraits,
icons, still lifes, landscapes, batiks, silk painting, Hungarian furniture folk art, embroidery
and sewing. She shared these talents with the New Brunswick Hungarian community through her projects for Saint Ladislaus Church of which she was a faithful parishioner, and the Hungarian Scouts of which she was a loyal supporter. In 2004, for the 100th Anniversary of Saint Ladislaus Parish, she was commissioned to paint an icon of the patron saint. She also contributed in many other ways designing Christmas cards and brochures, painting flags and statuary, as well as being an artistic advisor for many projects.
She was a loving mother and doting grandmother who spent many hours helping her grandchildren express and develop their own artistic talents.
Irene was predeceased by her husband Miklos Mihalyfi, and is survived by her daughter
Dr. Brigitte Mihalyfi, her son-in-law Dr. Istvan Horvath, and her grandchildren Istvan, Katalin and Laszlo Horvath. In Hungary, she is survived by a sister Gabriella Gabor, and two brothers Szabolcs and Andras Gabor.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Ladislaus Church in New Brunswick at a later date. Interment will be in Sokoropatka, Hungary.
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