Julianna Radvanyi, 92, of Starkville, Mississippi, passed away on August 18, 2014 peacefully in her sleep.

Julianna was born in Hungary on April 3, 1922 and lived a very full life. She started working as a factory laborer, typical of the post war years in Hungary, and attended law school in the evenings. Following graduation, she was fast-tracked to a position as a civil law judge in Budapest. Later, she accompanied her husband, Janos, in his diplomatic services as ambassador of Hungary to Switzerland, Syria and the United States. While in the U.S., they sought and were granted political asylum in 1967. Unfortunately, this caused a tragic split of the family, as their daughter, Jutka, was stalled behind the “iron curtain” for an additional 15 years. Julianna, Janos and their son started their life in the United States in Washington D.C. then moved to Los Altos, CA, and eventually called Starkville, Mississippi home. Julianna and her husband have been citizens of Starkville for almost half a century, actively involved with MSU, Center For International Strategic Studies, the State of Mississippi and the Jackson community.

Her sisters, Elizabeth and Esther, predecease Julianna. She is survived by her loving husband Janos, and lovingly remembered by her daughter, Jutka (Laszlo) of Budapest, Hungary and son, Janos (Ann) of Santa Cruz California; as well as her loving 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held September 13, 2014 at 2 pm at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Starkville (1104 Louisville Street) with a reception immediately following at the church’s Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org/donate) in honor of Julianna.