Countess Andrassy to Be Entombed at Krasna Horka Castle Next Sunday

Krasnohorske Podhradie, August 13 (TASR) – The All Saints Church in Krasnohorske Podhradie (Kosice region) beneath Krasna Horka Castle will see next Sunday the funeral of Elizabeth Olgyay, Countess Andrassy of Csikszentkiraly and Krasna Horka, who died at the age of 92 in Springfield, Oregon back in January, cultural and promotional manager of the Slovak National Museum-Betliar Museum Judita Krajciova told TASR on Sunday.

“The Betliar Museum, which operates the Betliar mansion and the seat of the Andrassy dynasty – Krasna Horka Castle, received with deep sorrow the piece of news that Elizabeth Olgyay, Countess Andrassy of Csikszentkiraly and Krasna Horka, died on January 24, 2017 at the blessed age of 92. The museum was told about the death by her daughter Joy Olgyay. The SNM-Betliar Museum considers Elizabeth Olgyay Andrassy as its own departed one,” said Krajciova.

Based on the personal wish of the late countess, her mortal remains will be placed for eternal rest in the Andrassy dynasty sepulchre at Krasna Horka Castle.

“The public farewell event with the late Elizabeth will take place at the All Saints Church in Krasnohorske Podhradie at 9:30 a.m. After the service, a funeral march will escort the funerary urn with her remains to Krasna Horka Castle. All three bells of the castle will be ringing during the march, including the small ‘count’ bell, which rang for the last time when accompanying Ilona Andrassy on her last sleep in 1991. The urn will then be placed in the castle sepulchre only in the presence of the family, with the exclusion of the public,” said Krajciova.

Born on December 23, 1924 to Count Imre Andrassy and Swedish Countess Stella Kuylenstjerny, Elizabeth Olgyay Andrassy spent her childhood and youth at mansions in Humenne (Presov region), Velaty (Kosice region) and Tiszadob (Hungary), and in Budapest palaces belonging to the family.

“She experienced times that we can only get a taste of from yellowish newspapers and old pictures. Following the traumatic WWII, Elizabeth’s family had to leave the Old Continent, finding shelter in the United States. In 1950, she married Hungarian architect Aladar Olgyay, with whom she had two children – Roy and Joy,” said Krajciova.

The countess was an active Red Cross volunteer, frequently helping people affected by hurricanes in the USA. She visited the sites of her childhood, including Krasna Horka Castle, last time in 2010.

“We ask the public and the media to respect the family’s grief. You can send your condolences to the SNM-Museum Betliar,” added Krajciova.