Eva Penzes-Wright
August 7, 1933 – October 31, 2023
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Eva Penzes-Wright. She was born in Veszprem, Hungary at a tumultuous time in world events. She met her future husband Istvan (Stephan) Penzes in high school. They were married in May 1955 and emigrated to Canada during the Hungarian uprising of 1957.
After a short stint in Trail BC, they moved to Edmonton where Istvan finished his post graduate education as a chemist and Eva raised their two sons (Steven and Ken) while running the household and working as a piano teacher. After Istvan’s passing in 1975, Eva took solace in her work and community at St Paul’s United church where she met Dr Robert Earl Wright who became her second husband in November 1982.
The two of them enjoyed the great outdoors and often travelled throughout North America in their VW camper van. They also took many trips to various world destinations and enjoyed adventures such as chartered flights to Kluane National Park, catamaran cruising in the Aegean, and bus touring through the Balkans. They ultimately fell in love with Puerto Vallarta where they spent many months over the coming years taking refuge in their condo from the Edmonton winters.
After Robert’s passing in 2015, Eva continued her travels while she was able. In recent years she took much comfort with her family, friends, community, church, and her faith. She lived a full and complete life and will be missed by those who knew her.
She is survived by her sons Steven and his family and Ken; her sister-in-law Aniko Toth and her family; and by the Wright children Elizabeth Emslie and her family and Todd Wright and his family. Eva was predeceased by her parents, Lajos and Ilona Toth, brother Sandor Toth, and her daughter-in-law Tracy Gaye Hanton.
Memorial arrangements will be announced at a future time. You are encouraged to remember Eva and celebrate her life in your own way. In addition, please feel free to make a donation in her name to your charity of choice.
Dear Steve and Ken,
With heartfelt sorrow, I offer my condolences for your mother’s passing. Eva was the first Hungarian person I met in Canada in 1972. Our friendship was immediate, which deepened over the years. Eva’s kindness, sense of humor, intelligence and positive outlook on life was always enjoyable.
During the last ten years, Judit Kovacs joined us for birthday celebrations and occasional lunches, when we helped each other adjust and overcome our old-age challenges, mostly with great humor.
I will keep her memory in my heart.
Steve and Ken;
My condolences to you and your families at the passing of your mom. I have fond memories of our families getting together for multi-family parties in Edmonton, Wetaskiwin or Smokey Lake. As an adult, I occasionally ran into your mom at my grandma’s when they got together for tea. She even helped Grandma bead my wedding dress. Over the years, I have run into your mom at Kinsmen Pool, or at Hungarian Dance group performances. I will remember her as a lovely, kind lady, engaged in life.
Sending my thoughts and prayers your way.
Steven and Ken,
On behalf of our family, we offer our sincerest condolences on the passing of your mother. We collectively have many special memories of your mother and father when we lived in Edmonton in the sixties – the multi-family dinners, getting our first piano lessons, playing hide ‘n go seek in the house, and skating at Whitemud park, and later, with Imre (now deceased), our trips to Puerto Vallarta and visiting with Eva and Bob. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steve, Ken and families,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. I will always remember her fondly, from her calls looking for her “Stevie” to all the love and support she and Bob showed my mom and dad in their difficult times. Shannon still talks about her trip with my mom to PV to visit Eva her hospitality.
Eva came into my life when I was almost 30 and looking for a music teacher to work with me through my grade 10 and ARCT diploma years. Eva was the perfect person at the right time. I treasure our years of study together and our friendship; her gifts provided me with more than 45 years of joy in teaching. In our last conversation, I told her how proud I was of her creativity as she wanted to stay in her home. I am so grateful for her life; my sympathy to her loved ones. Judith Ammann