Obituary of Gabriella Ilona Enyedvary (nee Dira)

April 3, 1939 – Budapest, Hungary
November 30, 2021 – Okotoks, Alberta

Gabriella Ilona Enyedvary passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 82 on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, surrounded by friends and family. 

She was born April 3, 1939, in Budapest, Hungary, daughter of the late Ede and Ilona Dira. Gabriella immigrated to Canada in 1956, escaping the Hungarian revolution. In 1975, she graduated with a degree in social work from McGill University in Montreal. Gabriella, her daughter Sylvia, and Thomas moved to Calgary in 1978, where she worked as the Director of Volunteer Services at Glenmore Auxiliary Hospital.  Together Thomas and Gabriella owned and operated “Artnest Gallery”, a prominent Art Gallery for many years. In retirement, Gabriella became an honorary Rotarian (Paul Harris Fellow) and an ordained minister, hosted travelers at her cozy bed and breakfast, spent as much time as she could at Fairmont, in the mountains and continued to share her passion for the arts through her paintings and love of the piano. 

Throughout her life, Gabriella travelled the world extensively and hosted extravagant parties big and small for her friends and family. Gabriella will be remembered for killer heels, exquisite style, and powerful presence. 

She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Sylvia and Patrick Thomas of Calgary; granddaughter Vanessa Thomas of Toronto; extended family in the United States: Monica (Bill) Sarvis, Zach, Zoe, Zeke and Zeb Sarvis; Nick (Kathy) Csabi, Rachel, Elena and Eli Csabi; and Judy Devenyi; and extended family in Hungary: Peter (Kati) Kormendi, Kati and Klari Kormendi. Gabriella was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Thomas Enyedvary; brother, Ede Dira Jr., and grandson, Phillip Thomas. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Provincial Office, Sun Life Place, 710, 10123 – 99th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1 Telephone: 1(866) 412-4222. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Gabriella Enyedvary, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.