Julia Karpati

Julia Karpati (née Somogyi), born April 27, 1929

If you've ever seen a clean house or a beautiful garden, neither were as clean or as beautiful as hers. Julia could make anything grow. She could envision any project down to the tiniest detail, and, with her beloved life-mate Steve by her side, they would bring the vision to life. This is how they built their American dream.

In 1956, just five days after they were married, accompanied by Julia's younger sister Elizabeth, they set out on the harrowing journey of escaping communism during The Hungarian Revolution. With literally nothing more than the clothes on their backs - not even a penny in their pockets - they boarded a questionably flight-worthy World War II paratrooper plane and took to the skies during a blizzard on New Year's Eve. They landed at LaGuardia Airport on January 1, 1957.

With no family for support and not knowing a word of English, but with an unyielding work ethic, they were strangers in a strange land. They started a family and worked very hard. Fast forward 20 years from these inauspicious beginnings, Julia and Steve proudly watched their only child, Suzan, be accepted to Lehigh University. Julia became a loyal (and loud) fan of the Lehigh University football team. She and her husband were both enthusiastic members of the Lehigh South Side Boosters Club for 34 years, long after Suzan graduated. With her charming Hungarian accent, Julia loved discussing sports and politics.

Julia's greatest joy in life was her two grandchildren, Astiana and Robert. She never tired of taking them swimming at the Hungarian Club, walking and hiking trails with them on the Shelbourne Road property, or using her broom to protect them from ferocious swans in the pond or snakes hiding in the gazebo or the pump house.

Julia passed over comfortably on April 17, 2024, joining her husband, Steve Karpati who predeceased her in 2013. She is survived by her daughter Suzan, son-in-law Robert L. Flipping III, grandchildren Astiana and Robert IV, and two sisters - Elizabeth Nemeth (Florida) & Matild Hargitai (Hungary) - and their families.

"Nagymama, jó északát"

Visitation with family and friends will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at St. Catharine of Siena R.C.C. Chapel, 2427 Perkiomen Avenue, Mt. Penn, PA 19606. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow, beginning at 11:00 am. Entombment will be at Gethsemane Cemetery Chapel of St. George, 3139 Kutztown Rd, Reading, PA 19605. Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com.