Georgette Hadvina

Georgette Hadvina was born as Georgetta Gergely on July 18, 1939 in Petrozseny, once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. She was only three years old when the Transylvania province where her family lived was annexed to Romania, causing her Hungarian parents to move to the capital city of Budapest. Growing up, she witnessed the destruction of the Second World War, the brutal Russian takeover of the country, the oppression of Communism, and the outbreak and defeat of a revolution. Indulging in her childhood passion, reading was the only way she was able to escape and survive the cruelty of life around her.

After one failed attempt, Georgette and her family were able to succeed in a daring escape to Austria through the infamous Iron Curtain. At eighteen, she immigrated to the United States with her family, arriving as penniless refugees who spoke not a word of English. After learning the language, she graduated with honors from Northern High School in Detroit, Michigan, and went on to study fine art, interior design, and business in college. In the next few decades she worked in various positions, including a commercial real estate broker, an interior designer and a small business owner. She raised three children with her husband, and was widowed after forty-five years of marriage. She now lives in Southern California, close to her family and grandchildren.