Photo Credit: Craig Rafuse
By Maria Nagy
(Editor’s Note: The author is the daughter of Maria Nagy. Both share the same first and last name)
Maria Nagy, born in 1948 in Budapest, Hungary, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on July 18. Her four kids held her as she went away.
She came to the United States in 1971, escaping a socialist country for a new life and a new adventure in America. Arriving with Tamas Nagy and a small suitcase, she built a beautiful life and raised four children.
With an entrepreneurial spirit, she ran Palacsinta LLC, a Hungarian bakery for ten years in Candler Park, starting her business at the age of 65. Her bakery was not just a business but a beloved gathering place for the community. She was also an amazing party hostess and helped run the Atlanta Hungarian Meetup from 2005-2007. (She was a co-organizer for longer but these were the years where she threw monthly parties at her home.)
She shared her love of Hungary through her baked goods and savory Hungarian dishes. Her smile and spunky spirit will be missed.
She will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and the delicious pastries that brought joy to so many. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and the community she touched.