Flora Szakal

SZAKAL, Flora "Dukie" age 90 of Longboat Key, Fla. and Dayton, Ohio, died peacefully November 14, 2010.Flora was born on June 25, 1920, in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Fred and Irene Johnson. She married Joseph R. Szakal, Sr. on January 21, 1940 and with Joe, raised 3 children in Dayton, Ohio. Dukie will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a caring, thoughtful and loving mom, grandmother and friend. Early on Dukie became fascinated with Julia Child and became a gourmet cook and great baker, well known for her Hungarian dishes and delicious pies. Always the entrepreneur, she and Joe and long time friends purchased a resort property north of Dayton called Silver Lake and renovated the property into a shining jewel. Many great summers were spent at the lake. Soon after, Dukie and Joe, along with neighbors, founded Fair Valley Country Club. The Club was a major project with a clubhouse and a unique, first of its kind, Z shaped pool. In 1962, she started Szakal Realty. The direction of the company was to sell only new homes in sub-divisions. By 1964 sales sky rocketed and Dukie was honored with Realtor of the Year by the Dayton Board of Realtors. After she retired, she devoted her time to her family and spent the winters in Longboat Key with her husband. Over the years, they enjoyed many visits from their children and grandchildren creating memories to last a lifetime. Her 64 year marriage to Joe was a true love affair for the ages. Their commitment to one another is an enduring legacy to their family. Flora is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Irene Johnson and her beloved husband Joseph Sr. She is survived by her 3 adoring children and their partners, Linda Szakal and Michael Clutter of Sarasota, Fla., Joe and Sharon Szakal of West Milton, OH., and Patty Szakal and Carrie Cimino of Pasadena, CA. Flora is also survived by a sister, Pat Margerum and her brother Jim and wife Jody Johnson. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Scott and Nancy Papanek, Chris and Norma Clutter, Ford and Amy Snodgrass, Randy and Jill Thome, Greg and Jennifer McGrath, Rick and Kelli Szakal, Laura Kastan, Josh Kastan; twenty-seven great-grandchildren, Brittany, Elizabeth, Serena, Sarah, Mike, Angela, Nick, Caleigh, Ashley, Courtney, Andrew, Austyn, Sydney, Lexi, Fordy, Ryan, Casey, Jordan, Megan, Max, Declan, TJ, Emma, Lily, Mia, Amanda, Sophie and one great great grandchild, Layla. Flora's life will be celebrated at Calvary Cemetery Chapel , 3 PM Saturday November 20, 2010. Family will receive friends at 2 PM until time of service. Entombment to follow the service next to her beloved husband Joseph. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to St. Mary's Development Corporation 713 W. Grand Ave. Dayton, Ohio 45406