Emilia Nagy

Emilia Nagy, age 81, of Fort Collins passed away Sunday, January 30 at her home with her family at her side. She was born April 12, 1929 to Julius and Irma Fiala in Berettyoujfalu, Hungary. She was the youngest of four daughters. Emilia attended Catholic Teacher's School in Nagyvarad and was fortunate to have a music teacher who worked with the world renowned composers, Kodaly and Bartok. These composers initiated studies of Central Europe's history of music and folk art. Emilia became fascinated with these subjects, developing a life long interest. During the end of World War II when Hungary was on the verge of occupation, Emilia and her family left their home and settled in Germany. On June 4, 1949, she married Julius George Nagy in Bad Worishofen, Germany and resided there and in Munich until they immigrated to the United States in 1952, settling in Detroit, Michigan. In 1961, after vacationing in Colorado, they decided to move to Fort Collins. In the 70's and 80's, she was fortunate to return to Central Europe with her husband and daughters and continue to deepen her knowledge and collection of Hungarian folk art and music. Emilia was an excellent cook sharing her Hungarian cuisine with family and friends. She also enjoyed gardening, needlepoint and baking with her grandchildren. Emilia battled Parkinson Disease for 17 years and during the last 5 years of her life the disease began to take its toll on her. But with remarkable will power, she fought the disease and remained the best wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother we will ever know. Up until her final days, she kept her wonderful sense of humor. She is survived by her husband, Julius Nagy; her sister Mary Fiala of Greeley; two daughters and son-in-laws, Judy and Stephen Mill, Julie and Tim Kenney. Her legacy includes five grandchildren, Anthony, Katherine, Katalin, Julianna and Emilia. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 4 at 10:00 am at Saint Joseph Catholic Church with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Pathways Hospice or the Emilia Nagy memorial fund in care of Goes Funeral Care to be forwarded to the Saint Franciscan Orphanage in Transylvania and the Devecser Toxic Mudslide Relief Fund.