Agnes Esther Szabo

Agnes Szabo passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, December 21, 2015 at the age of 95 years. Born in Debrecen, Hungary on May 19, 1920, she was married to Jules Szabo for 66 years from their wedding date of January 31, 1939 until his death on November 28, 2005. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her sister Nelli; children Robert (Linda), Kitty, Tom (Mary) and Anita; and also by her grandchildren Danielle (Rob), Lian (Chris), Michael and Katyana. Agnes had a teaching degree in Latin and Hungarian from Peter Pazmany University in Budapest, Hungary and another teaching degree from the University of Calgary. She taught French, history and other subjects in Calgary schools until she retired. Agnes spoke English, Hungarian, French, German, Spanish quite fluently and several other languages including Latin and classical Greek. After leaving her native Hungary when it was occupied by the Russians at the end of World War II, she lived in Germany, Venezuela, Nigeria, Ghana (both in West Africa) and settled down in Calgary where she lived from January 1, 1960 until her death. From March 2007 until she passed away she lived with and under the care of her oldest daughter, Kitty, a span of close to 9 years. Until declining health forced to give it up, she played tennis frequently and vigorously, winning an Alberta championship in her mid-eighties. She was also an aerobics instructor, taught synchro swimming and played squash. She used her computer quite often, exchanging daily emails with her sister and chatting with her daily on Skype. Agnes is greatly missed by her family and friends. Agnes’ family and friends will be hosting a Celebration of Life in her honour at the Calgary Golf and Country Club on Sunday January 10, 2016 between 2:00 and 5:00 in the afternoon. Anyone wishing to share their memories of Agnes and pay their last respects is invited to join us at the main clubhouse for the Calgary Golf and Country Club, 5900 Elbow Drive SW, whose entrance is located approximately 1.5 blocks west of the intersection of Elbow Drive and 50 Avenue S.W. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.