Judith DeSzily (née Barany) passed away peacefully on December 28, 2024, at the age of 90. She was born on August 5, 1934, in Budapest, Hungary, to Istvan Barany and Magda Barany (née Oberschall).

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In 1947, Judith and her mother fled Communist-occupied Hungary for Italy. There, as a teenager in Rome, she became a multilingual tour guide fluent in Italian and French. In 1951, they emigrated to the United States and settled in New York, where Judith attended Manhattanville College.

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Over Thanksgiving in 1955, Judith met the love of her life, Thomas DeSzily, a fellow Hungarian refugee. They married on May 11, 1957, and together built a life filled with love and adventure. The couple welcomed two children: Anthony in 1960 and Magdalena in 1962. Due to Tom’s career with Mercedes-Benz of North America, the family lived in numerous locations, including New York, the Bahamas, Cleveland, Washington D.C., and the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Judith was known for her strong will and unwavering devotion to her family. As a supportive partner to Tom, she earned a reputation as an exceptional hostess, orchestrating countless social events tied to his professional endeavors. After Tom’s retirement, Judith dedicated herself to the Hungarian Knights of Malta as a Dame alongside her husband, who was a Knight. Together, they made several pilgrimages to Lourdes to assist the sick and terminally ill.

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Judith instilled in her children a deep pride in their Hungarian heritage and Catholic faith while exemplifying love and commitment through her marriage. 

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She is survived by her son Anthony and daughter-in-law Jeska; her daughter Magdalena; and her cherished grandchildren Ilona DeSzily, Viola DeSzily, and Jack McCarty. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Tom and son-in-law Clay McCarty.

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May Judith’s memory be a source of comfort and inspiration to all who knew her.

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A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, January 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Mother Seton Parish, 19951 Father Hurley Blvd, Germantown, MD 20874.

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​In Lieu of flowers please make a contribution to Hungarian Catholic Mission.