LUCI KOHAJDA

Luci Kohajda Der, 86, died on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at Conestoga View. She was the widow of John Der, Sr. who died January 22, 2003. She was born in Tavankut in Hungary but what is now Serbia. Her mother died in childbirth and she was raised in Szabadka by her grandparents. Her grandparents nurtured her lifelong amazing cooking and baking skills from Gulyás, to paprikás, to torta, to palancsinta (crepes). She worked as a seamstress and baker. After her marriage to John Der they remained in pre-communist Szabadka, Hungary. This was a time of prosperity and great European culture in Hungary which John and Luci would fondly remember after they left. Following a multi-year effort Luci successfully fled communist Hungary with her husband and sons John and Zoltan to resettle in Lancaster because it most closely resembled the farming community around Szabadka. Their daughter Valerie was born in 1967. Luci loved cooking, ball-room dancing, cats, antiques, watching old movies and playing games with her family and friends. In the past year, she particularly enjoyed playing Bingo and Dominoes with her Romanian friend, Eva. Her favorite flowers were violets (ibolya) and geraniums. Luci Der was an old-world lady, her strength was an inspiration. She had a major stroke 28 years ago and heard her Doctors say she would never speak again or live more than five months. Persevering with her strong will and determination she regained her speech and movement to be at her granddaughter’s High School graduation, see her enter college and watch her grandson Caleb grow into a wonderful eleven year old. The love we have for our Mom will forever be with us. Her courage, beauty and laughter will live on. Goodbye our sweet Mami, we will miss you greatly. Luci is survived by her sons John Der, Jr. of Lancaster, Zoltan (Elizabeth Kloian) Der of Berkeley, CA, daughter Valerie (Scott) Leanza of Pequea, her granddaughter Sarah Falta and grandson Caleb Leanza. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Luci’s Funeral at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 528 W. Orange Street (at the corner of Orange & Pine Sts), Lancaster on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. The family will greet friends at The Groffs from 11:00 a.m. until time of Service. Interment will be in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made in Luci’s name to the American Stroke Association, 610 Community Way, Lancaster, PA 17603.

LUCI KOHAJDA

March 1, 2012