Magdalena Martha Stefanescu (nee Kover), born February 28, 1929, lived ninety-five years of a beautiful life, passing away peacefully the morning of May 20, 2024.
Magda was the only child of Dorothea Dietrich and Gyula Kover, born in Bucharest, Romania. Her family moved to Cluj, Romania, during her teenage years where she attended high school. Magda then moved back to Bucharest where she met Nicolae (Nicky) Stefanescu (1927-2010), and they were married in 1959 in Bucharest. They were married for 51 years.
Magda worked for several newspapers as an editor, eventually retiring as secretary of editorial staff of the cultural Hungarian-Romanian newspaper, A Het (The Week).
Magda is survived by Andrei and her grandchildren, Matei, Iulia, and Victor Stefanescu. Magda was lovingly known as “Buba” to her grandchildren.
Having been baptized a Reformed Christian and raised in a Hungarian family, Magda was open-minded, marrying Nicky, an Eastern Orthodox Romanian. Magda loved to travel, socialize and adventure. She enjoyed dancing with her friends in her youth, attending social gatherings, and going to the seaside.
Magda courageously survived many tumultuous times, having lived through World War II in a country hit hard by the war, as well as the Romanian Revolution of 1989.
Magda moved to the United States in 2018, where she spent the remainder of her days with her son, Andrei and family. Magda was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/ Dementia in 2021, which, anyone who has had a loved one with this disease knows, is a grueling disease. However, Magda maintained a positive attitude throughout her life, often laughing or smiling instead of getting frustrated or angry as her disease progressed. Our heart goes out to anyone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, and please feel free to reach out to us if you find yourself struggling with the ups and downs of the disease and would like to talk to someone who has been through the same thing.
Magda is and will be missed dearly, and we are so grateful for the many years we got to spend with her. We know that she will watch over us and hope that she may reunite with loved ones, including her beloved husband, Nicky, and her parents, in the afterlife.
Please join us in celebrating Magda’s life during visitation, on Tuesday, May 28th, from 5 to 8PM CST at Kutis Funeral Home (2906 Gravois Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63118). A short service, respecting Magda’s Reformed-Protestant baptism and upbringing will start around 5:30.
In lieu of flowers, you may consider a small donation in Magda’s memory to FOCUS Gateway City, a Christian Orthodox organization in St. Louis dedicated to South City community outreach, providing food, clothing, and shelter maintenance for homeless and low-income families.
Donation Link: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E334599&id=86
We are sorry for the loss of your mother · Please accept our deepest condolences for you and your family’s loss. · Memory Eternal.
Thank you Niki and Kyriacos. Amen!
Sincere Condolences!
We are sad to hear about your loss, and we express our sincere sympathy to you and your family.
God rest her in peace and her memory be eternal!
Thanks. So sad – we lost our Mom’s at a week apart. I hope they fare in beutiful places now.
Dear Stefanescu family, indeed Mrs Stefanescu’s life needs to be celebrated!
Its a blessing you were able to have her here, for her last years of her life, I am sure that makes her departure easier .
Our deepest sympathy and love,
The Marcus
Our hearts are lifted up, towards you, Stefanescu family ! Praying that you experience even deeper peace amidst your deepest grieving! Memory Eternal dear sister in Christ+
Thanks so much, for your words and support Margaret. May the Mother of God interceed for her peaceful resting into eternity!
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved mother and our dear “mamaie”.
We are sharing your sadness and praying for you during this difficult time.
May God rest her in peace and her memory be eternal!
Our deepest sympathy and love,
Petrescu family
Such nice mention of our team of Mom’s and Grandmas (Mamaie-s). May she rest in Peace, my friends!
My thoughts are with you and family,Anya csak egy van!,and I lost a dearest friend rest in peace dear Magdi!
Marika, your lifetime freindship to my Mom made her life more beautiful. Koszonuk szepen!
Thanks Mirela and Marian. So many memories shared between and with our Moms… We’ll alwais discover bits of memories on our parents while sharing time with our “children”.
A wonderful soul has left us ! May God rest you in Peace dear Magda, dearest aunt !
I will deeply miss you, but all our memories , our conversations will keep you near me, with me.
Dear Family – Andrei, Matei, Iulia ,Victor – be strong , feel loved and embraced by your overseas family – Dana & Mihai with families
Dear Dana, Mihai, Families, thanks for the thoughts messaged fromsuch a distance – we will be keeeping them next to us, within reach for the strength we need. May she rest in Peace
Sincere condoleante, Andrei. Abia acum am aflat de pierderea mamei tale. Dumnezeu sa o odihnească alături de toți cei dragi plecati la El, iar tie sa iti dea putere. Mi-o voi aminti mereu pe mama colegului meu de clasa: o doamnă blondă, frumos coafata, cu parul scurt, îmbrăcată elegant…. Drum lin in lumină, mamei tale!