Johanna Szigeti, 65, popular upholsterer, native of Germany

Johanna D. Szigeti of 67 Ramapoo Road, a former nurse who became a popular upholsterer and worked with many of the area’s interior decorators, died unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, Nov. 2. She was 65 years old and the wife of the late Michael Szigeti.
Mrs. Szigeti operated Szigeti Interiors, which her husband had started 35 years ago. “She was a very, very good seamstress,” said her daughter, Judy Legan of New Milford. “The quality of her work was extremely important to her.”
A native of Germany who came to this country in 1955, Mrs. Szigeti was born on Nov. 21, 1934, a daughter of Lydia Vogel Dase of Stratford and the late Gustav Dase. Mrs. Szigeti, trained as a nurse in Germany, worked for about five years as an emergency room nurse at Norwalk Hospital.
Her husband established Szigeti Upholstery in Vista, N.Y., around 1965 and as the business grew, Mrs. Szigeti gradually moved from nursing to upholstery. In the 1970s, the Szigetis moved the business to their home on Ramapoo Road. When Mr. Szigeti became ill about 15 years ago, Mrs. Szigeti took over the business. Mr. Szigeti died in 1996 at the age of 63.
“She had a group of very loyal customers over the years,” Mrs. Legan said. “She worked for many interior decorators in the area.”
A Ridgefielder since 1962, Mrs. Szigeti first lived on Clearview Drive at the Ridgefield Lakes and around 1975 the family moved to Ramapoo Road.
Mrs. Szigeti belonged to the Ridgefield AARP chapter and the Ridgefield Senior Center. “She enjoyed traveling and, most of all, her grandchildren,” said Mrs. Legan.
Besides her mother and Mrs. Legan, her survivors include another daughter, Suzanne L. Smith of Avon; three sisters, Helga Steinhuebel of Port Chester, N.Y., Traudi Motylenski of Woodland Park, Colo., and Gisela Coyne of Stratford; and by four grandchildren. A sister, Hedwig Izzo, died before her.
Services were Monday at Kane Funeral Home. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Shelton.
Contributions in Mrs. Szigeti’s memory may be made to the Ridgefield Boys & Girls Club, Box 294, Ridgefield or to the Ridgefield Senior Citizens Center, 25 Gilbert Street, Ridgefield, 06877.