Obituary: Irene Kohalmi, 95, Of Easton

Information Courtesy Lesko & Polke Funeral Home

EASTON, CT — Irene Kohalmi, 95, of Easton, passed away peacefully on July, 13, 2021. Long awaiting to embrace her was her beloved husband, Emery, following 32 years apart. Born May 21, 1926, Irene was the second of seven children and grew up in the village of Pápakovácsi, Hungary.

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 forced Irene and Emery to flee their beloved Hungary, taking only what they could carry, as they emigrated to the United States, through Camp Kilmer in New Jersey. As fate would have it, the parishioners of St. Emery's Church, dedicated to St. Emeric of Hungary, were sponsoring Hungarian refugees and within one month of landing in the US, the Kohalmis were blessed with the opportunity to plant their American roots in Fairfield. For the next 65 years, Irene would remain a devout parishioner of St. Emery's Church.

If you asked Irene, she would say her greatest accomplishment in life was her family. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, and friend to so many, Irene was affectionately known by her loved ones as "Mama." No plate was ever full enough, you always had room for seconds, and there was no question you would try at least one pastry before leaving the table. Though small in stature, she commanded respect and was a force to be reckoned with. Irene will be remembered for her independence as well as her kind heart, sweet smile and pride in her home and family.

Irene is survived by her loving son, David, and wife, Tammy, of Milford; daughter, Bernadette Terasowich, of Easton, daughter, Loretta Bortner, and husband, Steven, of Wilton; her grandchildren, Erica Gaynor, and husband, Brandon, Jessica Kamzik, and husband, Anders, Daniel Kamzik, Amanda Rubin, and husband, Mike; great grandchildren, Lillian Gaynor and Benjamin Gaynor; sisters, Elizabeth Stankovics and Olga Kleine; brother-in-law, Joseph Kohalmi, and wife, Marika; and nieces and nephews, Peter Stankovics, Andrea Summers, Lisa McBeth, and Joseph Kohalmi.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in St. Emery Church, 838 Kings Hwy, Fairfield with burial to follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call on Saturday at the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.