Maria Lakatos (Herczeg), 86, of Palo Alto, CA, passed away surrounded by her family on August 5, 2026. Born in Császár, Hungary, on July 29, 1940, she lived a life grounded in faith, family, service, and a deep love of nature.

Maria (or “Pipi”) spent her early years in post-war Hungary, nurturing a lifelong connection to her Hungarian heritage and extended family. Following the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, she emigrated to the U.S. with her parents and younger brother, Joseph, settling in Cleveland OH. In 1959, she married Ferenc Herczeg and in early 1960, moved to the Bay Area where they raised their seven children. She would spend the next 66 years here, often exclaiming how lucky we were to live in such a beautiful place.

The family was deeply connected to Notre Dame Elementary and Notre Dame High School in Belmont; their presence spanning 40 consecutive years. She and Ferenc instilled in their children a love of education, family, and the outdoors; sharing many summers camping and exploring California’s natural wonders.

Maria, known as “Ria”, worked for many years as a teacher at Ganon Early Childhood Education Center at Temple Beth El in San Mateo, where her loving care and natural understanding of children made her beloved by children, parents and coworkers alike.

After retirement, Maria moved to Lytton Gardens Senior Community in Palo Alto, where she was surrounded by her treasured Redwood trees and became a trusted friend, neighbor, and confidant to many. Her Catholic faith was expressed through her Eucharistic Ministries, including Communion Services and Liturgy of the Word to those with limited mobility and those nearing end of life at Webster House Health Center. Maria cherished her daily hikes at Byxbee Park (“Baylands”), where she found wonder in the beauty of the natural world.

Maria, affectionately known as “Anya” (“Mother” in Hungarian), was loved by her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nephews and niece, and her children’s many friends. She is survived by her children: Mary, Sandi, Dalma, George, Tunde, and Bob; her five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Joe, and daughter, Berri.

Per Maria’s wishes, a private funeral mass will be held in her honor at St. Matthew Catholic Church, San Mateo, CA and a Hungarian Mass offering of the Repose of the Soul at Woodside Priory Chapel, Woodside CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following: Hungarian Catholic Mission (http://hungariancatholicmission.com/index.htm); Friends of the Palo Alto Parks (https://www.friendsofpaparks.org/) or plant trees in her memory at A Living.