Eva Ilona Ana Maria Molnar Mikes

1938 - 2024

Eva Ilona Ana Maria Molnar Mikes, born in Székesfehérvár, Hungary on May 6, 1938, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 8, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Eva was preceded in death by her parents, Eva Köestler and Judge Geza Molnar and her dear sister, Suzanne "Suzie" Bagwill. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Joseph Mikes, her son, Steven Mikes (Celeste), and her two daughters, Kristi Johnsen (Erik) and Susan Piglia (Brian), who offer their profound thanks to all those who showered Eva with love and kindness over the years. She leaves behind her grandchildren, Dr. Alison Silva (Nick), Maddie Mikes (Matt), Kel Mikes, Austin Johnsen (Karen), Dr. Niels Johnsen (Sarah), Alex Porter (Katie), Britt Johnsen, Mark Piglia, and Elisabeth Piglia; her niece, Dianne McBride (Jim) and two nephews, Peter Bock (Jane) and Tom Bagwill (Dana); her grandnieces and nephews, Dr. Sarah Bautista (Christian), Chase Bagwill (Meredith), Ben Bagwill, and Emily Bagwill; her great grandchildren, Vera, Camille, and Tess Bautista, Isla, Celie, Anders, Emory, and Kinley Johnsen, Otto and John Crawford Porter, and Julian Silva. After immigrating to New Orleans from Graz, Austria in 1951, Eva, Suzie, and their mother were welcomed with open arms by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart Academy where they lived and attended school. Following graduation from Sacred Heart, Eva attended Loyola University earning a degree in medical technology. In 1957, Tulane Medical School granted her a fellowship where she was trained in a revolutionary program at Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo, NY, becoming one of the first cytotechnologists in the country. She worked at Tulane Medical Center as a cytotechnologist for over 25 years and then at GlaxoSmithKline for another 20 years. While teaching English to other immigrants from war-torn Europe, she met the love of her life, Joseph Mikes. They were married on July 4, 1959, making this their 65th year of marriage. Eva's lifelong motto was "the family that prays together, stays together," and nothing was more important to her than her faith and her family. From weekly Sunday breakfasts after church to holiday meals together, the Mikes home was the gathering place for the extended family and friends. Eva had a deep love for travel and was fluent in five languages, which made for many exciting trips across the globe. When the ability to travel became limited later in her life, Eva, a lifelong lover of books and an avid reader, traveled across the world in her imagination. Eva always believed in giving back to the community and was a long-time, dedicated volunteer at East Jefferson General Hospital and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Symphony Volunteers. She also volunteered at the LSPCA, Second Harvest Food Bank, Meals on Wheels and was active in the New Orleans Hungarian and German communities. Visitation will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans, on Wednesday, June 19, from 10:00-12:00 p.m. A funeral Mass and Inurnment will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Academy of the Sacred Heart.