Charlotte Nagymihaly's Obituary
NAGYMIHALY, CHARLOTTE Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of God. Our beloved Charlotte was welcomed into His arms Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, at 2:55 p.m. She was born on May 31, 1946, in Szeged, Hungary, and always remained proud of her Hungarian heritage. She returned to Hungary numerous times and retained membership at the Hungarian American Club of Miami. The love of her adoptive country -- the USA - manifested itself throughout her life in numerous ways: Every day, she proudly flew the American flag; she always stood at attention upon hearing the National Anthem, wherever and whenever it was played; and she made sure she voted from her hospital bed in the most recent election to express her conservative views. She grew up in Miami and graduated from Coral Gables High School in 1964, where she was a member of the German Club and the State Champion Swim Team. She loved sun and surf and won one of the first trophies ever awarded on South Beach for surf boarding. She was an avid water and snow skier, horseback rider and a most loyal fan of the Miami Dolphins since their very first game. Her talents were many, including sewing, painting, guitar strumming, and having a green thumb. Her rose garden was a delight to the whole neighborhood. She began assisting in the family business as a teenager. In order to better fulfill her responsibilities, she obtained her real estate and mortgage broker licenses and became a notary public. Until her final hospitalization in September 2010, she continued to manage the family business on a full-time basis. Her virtues formed her character. She was always a lady, blessed with common sense, good judgment, sense of calmness, serenity and order, patience, benevolence and devotion. This did not preclude her from her speaking her mind. She was influential in conveying these attributes to the younger members of her extended family. After her love of God, Country, family and friends, came her devotion to all animals. She contributed to the spaying and neutering of stray cats and dogs, and actively participated in their rescuing, nurturing and training for adoption. She was sensitive to her friends' individual dreams, aspirations and needs, and contributed to their fulfillment by offering her assistance. She was also an anonymous benefactor of many civic, cultural and charitable organizations in her community. Charlotte was predeceased by her father, Gaspar Nagymihaly. She is survived by her grieving family, who will always remember and miss her bright eyes, winning smile and golden heart: her mother, Veronica; her sisters, Eva Nagymihaly and Theresa N. Rust; cherished nephew Brandon Walsh; brother-in-law Robert W. Rust, USMC (Ret.); her longtime friend and companion of 30 years, Joseph B. Merlin; and her cousin Pista Nagymihaly and his family in Hungary, cousin Irmi Tuskos and her family in Louisville, KY; and other relatives and caring friends; and, last but not least, her rescue dog Sunny-Boy. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Charlotte may make a donation in her memory to the Horse Protection Association of Florida, 20690 N.W. 130 Avenue, Micanopy, FL 32667, tel. 352-466-4366, or to her parish church, St. Kiernans Roman Catholic Church, 3605 S. Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33133, tel. 305-854-1521, or to the ASPCA, 520 89th Ave., 7th Fl, New York, NY 10018, tel. 212-410-0087. Visitation and reception 6 - 9 pm Friday at VAN ORSDEL CORAL GABLES. Funeral Mass 10 am Saturday at St. Kieran Catholic Church. Entombment Woodlawn North Mausoleum. VAN ORSDEL - CORAL GABLES 4600 SW 8 St. (305) 446-4412 Family Owned Since 1924 View and sign register at: www.VanOrsdel.com
What’s your fondest memory of Charlotte?
What’s a lesson you learned from Charlotte?
Share a story where Charlotte's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Charlotte you’ll never forget.
How did Charlotte make you smile?