In Memoriam – Dr. Éva Tomory

I hardly expected that at the beginning of April 2025 I would be writing in the past tense about our dear friend and colleague Éva Tomory. Éva died suddenly on 28 March and the news was shocking for all of us. When I informed her devoted students, so many called or dropped by to tell me how wonderful she was. I have been listening to students rave about Éva for more than 15 years.

Éva started teaching at the U of T long before most of us. She later joined us at what was then CERES (now CEES) when the Chair of Hungarian Studies moved to the Munk School. Éva taught Hungarian language at all levels and she was totally engaged in all things Hungarian given her activities inside and out of the classroom. She was a key member of the Hungarian Studies Association of Canada and the Rákóczi Foundation actively promoting scholarship, Hungarian culture and opportunities for students. I have been working with her since 2009 and we were more than just colleagues. In fact, no one could even imagine our small but dynamic Hungarian program without her. Now we are forced to. It will not be easy.

Whether in the class, or at her home in Stouffville eating her remarkable food, all of us had it made in our friendship with her. Her students were equally spoiled with her charm, grace plus her baking and non-stop treats in class. To say nothing of her family’s own maple syrup or her Dobos Toret recipe. Take a look at Éva’s teaching reviews and you will see what I mean. This was a person of remarkable generosity – a born pedagogue.

Éva was born in Pécs and came to Canada in 1974 (an interesting story) and is one of our alumni. She was the best Hungarian language teacher but she had an MBA and a PhD in Business Administration. People were always surprised when I told them that. A person of remarkable talents that you had to uncover all on your own.

Robert C Austin
Associate Director, CEES