In Cherished Memory

Ida Fekete Mayer

March 4, 1943 - March 27, 2025

Ida Fekete Mayer passed peacefully from this life on March 27, 2025 at age 82 of metastatic cancer. Ida is a beloved mother, sister, aunt and friend. Her spunky laugh and her fierce devotion to her son Jean Paul, will be missed.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 12, at 10 am at the Kentlands Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 16 Kent Gardens Circle, Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Ida was born March 4, 1943, in a small village in Jászkarajenő, Hungary. She is the daughter of Zsigmond Fekete and Szirmai Katalin. Ida lived in Jászkarajenő until she was 14 then she studied in a high school in Nagykőrös. After final exams she started work as a pharmacist assistant in Budapest. During her youth Hungary was controlled by the Communists who took over Ida’s father’s shop and their multi-story home in Budapest. The State Police controlled most things including education, religion, entertainment, even the food. Ida decided to escape to the West while on a trip to Yugoslavia in her twenties. (She had joined the Young Communists as a way to earn privileges that might allow her to travel and escape). She left without telling her family for fear they might try to stop her. Ida enjoyed traveling in Italy before being granted permission to come to the United States where she was sponsored by a Hungarian family in Ohio.

Ida had a varied and challenging life. Much of it was focused on caring for and enjoying her son, Jean Paul, who was born in Orlando, Florida in 1976. Ida divorced her husband and soon after spent several years back in Hungary caring for her mother who had cancer. After returning to the US, Ida moved to Maryland where she held a variety of jobs eventually working at Starbucks where she was a favorite of many of her customers who became her friends.

In 1992 Ida met missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized. Her faith and friendship have been a blessing to many. Besides attending her Church, Ida was for many years part of a community Bible study group.

Ida enjoyed music very much, particularly opera but also a range of classical music, particularly music that brought her memories of her mother such as “Nightingale Serenade.” The day before she died Ida asked to listen to the song, “My Way.”

And now, the end is near 
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way.

Ida is survived by her family: her son, Jean Paul Mayer; her sister Katalin Fekete; Godson László Nemes and his wife Izolda, their four children Anikó, Rita, Krisztina and Gábor and spouses; and Katalin’s two grandchildren David and Máté; Izolda's family, and Ida's friends.

"With death only life ends but love shall not."

"Her memory remains in our hearts forever."

We invite you to join us in celebrating Ida's life on this dedicated webpage. Your condolences, stories, and pictures will be cherished by the family and will provide comfort during this difficult time.

Services entrusted to Beltway Cremation Center

124 E. Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-5009

www.BeltwayCremationCenter.com

(240) 246-0400