[Katherine Hickey]

Katherine Hickey, Hungarian father, Szaszi Lajos, from Ocsva-Apáti, Szatmár megye, mother born in America but her parents were born in Erdelyi, Száraszbereg and Szatmár Németi, Szabó Antal, Bakk Mária. Nagyapa was a Református lelkész at the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Los Angeles for 40 years after emigrating to America in 1921 due to the Treaty of Trianon. Interesting history of father’s family: Nagymama, born in 1888, lived to age 104 with no diseases, came to America in early 1900s to work in silk and cigar factories in New Jersey. Nagyapa, from same village pestered her to marry him, which she finally did, had 2 children in New Jersey and returned to Hungary in 1913. Father was born, Nagyapa didn’t want to be in WWI, so he left family in Ocsva-Apáti and returned to California. In America, Nagyapa changed name from Szaszi to Saltzer, wrote letters to Mrs. Saltzer, but didn’t receive any replies–finally reunited in 1928 when family all came to America. Nagymama was a gutsy lady–had the best garden during the war and after, refused to cook for the occupation troops, stood her ground when soldiers ripped off her apron with a bayonent, but wouldn’t let them search her house with young men trying to get out of Hungary.Lots of wonderful stories and memories of growing up in the rich Hungarian culture of Los Angeles, Hungarian church, dinners, programs, dance troupes, music, etc. As 3rd generation American-Hungarian, I speak fairly fluent Hungarian, my children and grandchildren speak some Hungarian. I am a musician and educator, directing the Kodály Center at the University of Redlands, CA, a specialist in the teaching of Kodály music education philosophy and pedagogy; taught by Katinka Scipiádes Dániel, friend and student of Zoltán Kodály and Jenő Ádám, who adapted the original Hungarian model to American folk music and schools. I am very proud of my 100% Hungarian-blooded heritage.

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