Rose … for auld lang syne
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It has been over 2 months since I wrote an entry. The reason I haven’t felt like writing is, of course, Rose’s passing. I thought I’d start writing by re-printing the obituary I wrote to her which appeared in the Westford Eagle.
Rose Kemeny, world famous hair colorist, grandmother of five dies at 94
Rose died peaceably at Westford House 8:30 pm Saturday. The past 15 years she lived in Westford, four at Westford House, where she made many friends with her charm and intelligence. Many knew her – her life could fill a book.
Born in the tiny Hungarian town of Abony in 1912, she grew up in Szolnok in an era without radios or cars. Her best memories of winter were traveling to the farm by horse drawn sled with coals to warm her feet. At 14 she discovered that the living room painting of her “aunt†was actually her mother who died giving birth to her sister Elizabeth. She also had 3 younger brothers by a stepmother. Due to her father’s illness, by 17 she was supporting the family running a beauty salon – something she would continue for the next 75 years! At the same time she secretly became engaged to and eventually married Sandor (Alexander) Reti, who had the foresight to emigrate from Europe through Italy in 1938. Rose had trouble getting a visa. But, upon meeting her, the Italian ambassador to Hungary relented remarking he understood why Sandor wouldn’t leave without her.
She arrived in New York City on Thanksgiving and was doing manicures within 2 weeks. In short order she established her own salon and was hired by Charles Revson to run Revlon’s prestigious New York Salon. Her specialty was hair color, and, as a natural blond beauty, she inspired “blonds have more fun†at Revlon. She had many famous clients including Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, the Gabors of course, and Joan Crawford – she was one of Joan’s closest friends. In the 1960’s she ran her own salon, Rue de la Pais, which had clients from old European aristocracy and the new American aristocracy including the Firestones and Kennedys. She successfully ran a salon with 40+ employees, tangling with landlords, unions, anti-feminism, and anti-Semitism. But her greatest struggles were in getting her family out of Europe after World War II.
In the 1970’s Rose lost Sandor after a long and debilitating illness. In 1976 she met Leslie Kemeny, a widower who also grew up in Szolnok. After a whirlwind courtship they were married. Everyone said that when most people were retiring, they were starting a teenage romance. In 1991 she was sideswiped by a commuter bus, which finally forced her to close the salon. She moved to Westford to be closer to her son and daughter and her beloved grandchildren. After losing Leslie, she traveled Europe (London, Paris, Milan, Budapest), Israel, and the US (Portland, Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Denver, Houston, Seattle). She was most happy to see her adopted country up close – she said the Willamette River in Portland reminded her of the Tisza River in Szolnok. Rose loved the US for the opportunities it gave her. But New York always held a special place in her heart.
She is survived by nephews Leslie and Tom Vadas, Stuart Kerty, niece Michelle Kerty, sister-in-law Gabriella Kerty, grandnephews Gregory, Oren and Daniel Vadas, grandniece Liza Vadas, children by marriage Ilona Stashko, John Kemeny, and grandchildren Eric, Allison and Lena Stashko, and Lia and Alan Kemeny.
There is so much more to say. I knew Rose for a greater part of my life than I knew my parents. She was a unique person who had a huge presence, and will be missed by many.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
What a wonderful tribute for a wonderful lady. Rose was like no other person I have ever known and loved. She will always have a place in my heart. Thank you to John and family for sharing her with me!
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