Edith Margaret Dus Garden

Edith Margaret Dus Garden, 91, of Fairview Park passed away peacefully at the Hospice of the Western Reserve on Friday, May 26, 2023.  Born on June 11, 1932 in Székesfehérvár, Hungary to parents Ákos and Zsuzsa Hehs, Edith was the oldest of three children.  She is predeceased by siblings William Hehs (Suzanne) and Moya Baker (William).  Edith’s family suffered through World War II, and towards the end of the war found themselves fleeing Hungary when her father, who ran an airfield in Székesfehérvár, refused to further assist the puppet government in Hungary.  The family spent the end and immediate aftermath of the war in Salzburg, Austria.  In 1948, Edith’s family was sponsored to come to the United States. It was intended that they would reside in Michigan, but the family stopped in Cleveland to visit some Hungarian friends and ended up staying.  Edith, although only 16 at the time, had already completed her compulsory education in Salzburg, and upon arriving in Cleveland, attended Case Western Reserve University.  She was also multilingual, speaking Hungarian, German, English, Italian and Spanish.  

After college graduation, Edith worked for Stouffer Foods, and was involved in the company’s development of frozen entrees.  She met her first husband, Leslie Dus, who also immigrated to Cleveland from Hungary, and they were married in 1952.  They had three children together, Thomas, Leslie Jr. and Kathleen.  During those years of child rearing, Edith also hosted numerous Hungarian programs and opera programs for radio station WXEN.  In 1976, she married George Garden, and continued her professional career, working as an account executive first for Cleveland Magazine and then for radio station WQAL.  She was a true trailblazer for mothers who also work professionally.  Edith also made time to volunteer for organizations such as the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, the Heart Association, and Greater Cleveland Catholic Charities, among others.  She was very accomplished, and in her later years excelled at the game of bridge, earning her Silver Life Master.  She adored all of the arts, but especially opera and classical music, and also greatly enjoyed travel, her book club, and being a member of the Cleveland Yacht Club.  Edith so loved her family, and the gatherings were always meticulously planned for all to enjoy.  Later in life, Edith met John Power (deceased March 17, 2020) who was a brilliant, retired NASA rocket scientist.  It was a true love match and they became life partners.  The entire family developed a great affection for John.

Edith is survived by her children Thomas Dus (Ramona), Leslie Dus, Jr., and Kathleen Weiss (Leonard); stepchildren, Holly Garden, Lloyd Garden and Alan Garden; grandchildren, Erika Montgomery (Jeff), Thomas Augustine Dus, Atticus Garden and Seth Riggs; and great granddaughter, Lucy Montgomery.

The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Edith, as well as John Power at the Cleveland Yacht Club, 200 Yacht Club Drive in Rocky River, on Sunday, June 11 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Hospice of the Western Reserve.