Obituary: Marie Helena Rebhan Balogh, 98, of Danbury

DANBURY, CT — Marie Helena Rebhan Balogh passed away peacefully on October 22, 2018. She was "only" 98 years old.

Marie was born May 1, 1920, one of five children and the only girl, to Anna and John Rebhan in Danbury. Her four dear brothers, John, George, Henry and Carl, all predeceased her. She was married to John F. ("Red") Balogh for 48 years, until his death in 1994. They had three children, who all survive her: John Philip Balogh of North Carolina, Robert J. Balogh of Massachusetts and Barbara Balogh Saunders (and her husband, David) of Richmond, VA. Also surviving her are her four grandchildren, Anne-Marie Balogh, Robert J. Balogh Jr., Claire Balogh Rentz (Allan) and Melissa Balogh; and three great-grandchildren, Alex and Michael Rentz, and Jacob Balogh; and several beloved nieces and great-nieces.

Marie was in every way a member of the "Greatest Generation." She grew up through the Depression and World War II and epitomized the values and character of that time. She often told stories of growing up in her neighborhood, where everyone took care of each other and no one wanted for anything, even in the worst of times.

She was kind, loving and enormously generous to her family and friends and to everyone she met. She was strong and independent, best illustrated by the fact that she lived on her own, and self-sufficient, until just weeks before she passed. She was a stay-at-home mother and wife for most of her life, where she created a comfortable and welcoming home.

Before marriage, she worked at such varying jobs as in a bakery as a teenager ("I earned 20 cents an hour and worked harder than you can imagine!") and as an adult, for a manufacturing company that made parts for airplanes and other equipment in WWII. Whatever she did, she worked hard, and with creativity and determination.

Marie liked to say she lived three lives: her growing-up years before marriage, the years of marriage and raising her family in Connecticut and then her move with "Red," in retirement, to Virginia in 1985, where they established new roots and lasting friendships in a "new" hometown and neighborhood they loved. In every "life," Marie made her mark of love and care to all. She had a spirit and soul that was forever young. She left all who knew her so much richer and blessed for the experience.

Special thanks to the staff of Bon Secours Hospice for their care and comfort to Marie and her family during her final days, to Laura Bullock, Marie's in-home companion for the past two years, for her kindness and friendship to Marie, and to the many friends and neighbors who lovingly watched over Marie in her later years.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday, October 27, 2018, at 10 a.m., at Church of the Epiphany, 11000 Smoketree Dr., N. Chesterfield, Va. Prior to Mass, family will have visitation at the church from 9 to 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Bon Secours Hospice.