Maria Szarvas Aronson

Maria Szarvas Aronson, of Manchester, died at home in her daughter Lori's arms on November 30, 2007.

A proud Hungarian, Maria was born on January 27, 1924, to Laszlo Szarvas and Anna Muhlbacher in Budapest, where she later trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Maria's beauty was only matched by her intellect. Most of her dreams and family were lost to the devastation of World War II, but her will to live triumphed as she fled Nazi domination and the impending Russian invasion by saddling up her horse, Masha, for the long ride to Switzerland. From there, she moved to newly occupied Bavaria, where she met the young American officer who would become her husband. As wife to Henry Aronson, Maria started a new life in New York City with the man she loved, a new citizenship in the country that had restored her faith in the future and, ultimately, a new family with the births of daughter, Lorraine and son, Thomas.

She brought her artistic talents to community and student theater, including years at the Anglo-American Theatre and the International Schools (where Hank was headmaster and she was known as Mrs. A) in The Hague, Netherlands. Maria faced yet another loss in the tragedy of Hank's untimely death in 1965. She moved with her children to Albany, New York, to be near Hank's family, and spent many years as professor of speech and drama at the College of St. Rose. Maria raised her children, and taught her students, to love learning and beauty, to revere freedom and justice, and to persevere. Her family, friends, and former students loved her for her caring, her creativity, her wit, her flair and her passion. The move to Manchester, to a house just a few blocks from her loving daughter, where she spent eight happy years with her wonderful dog, Maxie, finally brought her the peace and contentment she so richly deserved.

She leaves her beloved Lori to her Tim Bannon, her beloved Tom to his Mary Midkiff, and her beloved grandchildren, Josh and Amanda, to the bright future she imagined for them. She leaves, too, the extended family who returned her love in full measure: sister-in-law, Grambs; nieces and nephews, Rhoda and Mike, Larry and Greta, Eric, Mary and Graydon, Floyd and Ann, and their children and grandchildren.

For the serenity of the Manchester years, we thank thoughtful neighbors, good friends, Simone and Mark, the watchful presence of Deb and Greg, and the remarkable commitment of Jane Lee, caregiver extraordinaire. Thanks, too, to Dr. Jon Stephens, Dr. Michael Fischer, pharmacists Jan, Jim, and Eric, and to Dr. Peter Deckers, and all of the dedicated people at the UConn Health Center, without whom the comfort of these final years would not have happened. Special valentines go to UConn's Dr. Peter Schulman and Dr. Dan McNally, whose endless kindness, bad jokes and consummate skill preserved Maria's dignity and courage as well as her health.

The family will celebrate Maria's life privately.

Please, no flowers. Remembrances may go to the Jim and Pat Calhoun Cardiology Research Endowment Fund at the University of Connecticut Foundation.

The Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester has care of arrangements.