Maria K. Szava-Kovats

Maria K. (Kosztolanyi) Szava-Kovats, age 92, a former longtime resident of Tyngsborough and more recently of Chelmsford, passed on Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Born in Pecs, Hungary on May 20, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Ferenc J. and Kristina (Moser) Kosztolanyi.  She was educated as a stenographer in Hungary where she met and married the love of her life Gabor Szava-Kovats. In 1956 at the time of the Hungarian revolution, Maria and Gabor married and escaped Hungary to Austria where they were airlifted to Canada. Their journey took them to Medicine Hat Alberta, where Gabor worked as an Engineer for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Later, the growing family moved to Akron, Ohio, then to Ithaca, NY for educational pursuits.  An opportunity as a Professor at Lowell Technical Institute brought them to Massachusetts in 1969 eventually settling in picturesque Tyngsborough near the town beach, a lake view she enjoyed year round.

Maria was a dedicated homemaker and loved raising her family.  She also enjoyed knitting, traveling and gardening.   Her love of family was exemplified by her delicious dinners and baking.

Prior to her retirement at age 60, she was employed as an assembler for MaCom Technology Solutions. Retirement was well enjoyed with Gabor and caring neighbors Greg & Vicky Cappiello and Dan & Guylaine Woishek. After Gabors death in 2013, Maria added visits to the Tyngsboro senior center activities.  She decided, for additional care, to move into Summer place in Chelmsford in July 2022.

She is survived by her three children, Andrew Szava-Kovats and Deborah Elston of Lowell, Steven Kovats and son-in-law James Major of Wilmington, MA, Susan Szava-Kovats and her husband Robert Zabierek, grand-daughter Christina Zabierek, grandson James Zabierek and his wife Melissa, and great-grandson Parker James Zabierek who all live in Maine..  She was predeceased by her former spouse Gabor Szava-Kovats.

Relatives and Friends will be received at the TYNGSBOROUGH FUNERAL HOME, 4 Cassaway Dr, Tyngsborough, on Thursday, June 27, 2024 from 6 to 7 p.m. A prayer service and celebration of her life will take place immediately following at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make a donation in her memory to the Tynsborough Council on Aging, 169 Westford Rd., Tyngsborough, MA 01879. 

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