KAROLYI COUNTESS JOSETTE LADRON de GUEVARA/DALY Born in 1923, Countess Josette Ladron de Guevara/Daly Karolyi, a woman of exceptional talent, intelligence and compassion, suffered the unthinkable as a pre-teen, the loss of her father in Havana, murdered at the hands of revolutionaries during the Revolt of the Sergeants, 1933. Then, with a real Depression raging and WWII looming and prior to graduating High School in Blairstown, New Jersey she began working as a fashion model in New York City to help sustain her widowed mother and siblings. In short order she became a published and recognized American Beauty, including having been offered the lead role in the movie For Whom the Bell Tolls. One can only image Josette's disappointment when her mother refused to permit it! And to be sure, ripped up the contract. Irrespective, Josette continued to be a loving, in fact doting, daughter to her mother, to the very last three decades later. Following that drama, with WWII still threatening, in turn fought and finally over, Josette suffered through a shaky and ultimately dissolved marriage and emerged alone with a baby daughter and the urgent need to reorder her life. In a world ripped apart, in shambles and shaken she persevered and eventually found and married Anthony Karolyi, the love of her life and with whom she then went on, with cosmic commitment and zeal for life, to live it. And what an adventure it was! Caracas, Havana, New York, Sao Paulo, Tuxedo Park, Brussels, Chicago, Budapest, Marbella, Glenn Cove, Monarch Beach, Mission Viejo, Ellicottville and Fox Chapel; and while telling, that would not be a complete list. Josette poured her heart and soul into her family, her life and all who were part of it, did her best, tried her best to do her best and be her best. An awesome woman! Josette is survived by her children, Mimi Lutz Matisse (Paul), Anthony (Kathryn), Stephen (Yelitza) and Josita Karolyi; ten grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren. Arrangements entrusted to THOMAS M. SMITH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, LTD., Blawnox. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
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