Beata Gereben

Beáta Gereben, beloved wife of the late Geyza Gereben, formerly of Southport, passed away peacefully at her home on January 6, 2023. Born on June 24, 1943 in Budapest, Hungary, she was the only child of the late Louis and Dora (Hollerung) Nagyiván. Bea grew up during the Soviet occupation of Hungary and emigrated to the United States in 1958 with her parents.

Bea met her husband Geyza on her second day in the United States, Sunday, March 9, 1958, at St. Emery’s Church in Fairfield, where they were married four years later. After marriage, the family lived with Bea’s aging parents, settling and raising their family in Southport.

Over the years, Bea wore many hats. After graduating from UConn, she taught physical education at Wilton High School. In the ‘70s, she became a real estate agent and general contractor, building and selling many homes in Fairfield. Then she was a life insurance agent. She was a volunteer Hungarian teacher at the Magyar Studies of America. Her jobs gave her flexibility to take care of her aging parents while raising her young family as well. Bea’s favorite job was taking care of her loved ones. After caring for both of her parents, who passed away peacefully at home, Bea focused her love and attention on her godchildren, four grandsons, and husband. She could be found doing laps at the Fairfield YMCA faithfully three times a week, while teaching all her grandchildren and godchildren how to swim by the age of three.

Bea is survived by her son, Gregory Gereben of Fairfield, daughter Julia Johnson and her husband Kent of Milford; grandchildren, Grant and Greyson Gereben, and Stefan and Nicholas Johnson; godchildren, Laszlo Magyar and Gabriella Magyar Printz.

The family gives special thanks to Camila Renn and nurse Suherman Arifin for their compassionate care.

Bea always said she wanted friends and family to spend time with her while living and not at a memorial after she passed. In honoring her wishes, the family will have a private ceremony to celebrate her life and love. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund: https://www. kidneyfund.org/