Obituary of Csilla Sadloch

Csilla Sadloch, age 75, of Yardley, PA passed away at home on May 28, 2024. Csilla was born in Budapest, Hungary, where she lived with her mother, two sisters, and maternal grandparents. However, in 1956 during the Hungarian Revolution, Csilla, her mother, and her sisters fled the country. The family lived in Austrian refugee camps for a year before finally emigrating to the United States. The family settled in Garfield, New Jersey, and Csilla easily acclimated to American culture. Csilla emerged as a talented artist at a young age. Early drawings show her aptitude and skill with art. She attended Garfield High School and was accepted into the prestigious Parson School of Art and Design in NY. However, she described feeling "too green" during the admission interview, and instead embraced the "hippie" generation and culture of the late 1960s. She drove across the country in a VW Beetle and attended Woodstock in 1969. As she matured, her interests matured with her. In 1972, she decided to make a return visit to Hungary. After reconnecting with Emil Sadloch (Buz,) an old friend from Garfield HS, Csilla invited Buz to visit Budapest with her. They spent five weeks in Europe together and returned from Hungary very much in love. Csilla and Buz were married the following year. With Buz at her side, Csilla refocused herself in art. She enrolled in Montclair State University, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and was awarded membership in an academic honor society. In the fall of 1979, Csilla and Buz's daughter, Vera-Leigh was born, and Csilla wholeheartedly devoted herself to being a mother. In 1985, a job opportunity for Buz moved the family to Yardley PA, where they would reside for more than 30 years. During this time, Csilla was an active participant in the community, serving as a local leader for Art Goes to School (bringing art education to the classroom,) a coach for the Odyssey of the Mind (placing 3rd in the World Competition) and even as a local aerobics instructor. Always present and highly involved, Csilla could be found cheering on the swim team at the LMT pool, sewing costumes for school plays, painting displays for the PHS prom, or teaching art to local children in the community. In the early 2000s, Csilla again recommitted her energy to her artwork, working diligently and establishing herself as a skilled artist; she worked in various media: oils, acrylics, collage, mixed media and graphite (www.csillasadloch.com). Walks in the woods with her dogs inspired visuals that became the foundation of her art. Graphic abstracts gave way to intricate images of nature, and her career blossomed. Her work won numerous awards and accolades, recognizing her imagination and creativity. She was selected for mentoring by the Center for Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA) and was given a solo show at the Philadelphia Art Alliance. She was invited to be featured in a solo show at the Woodmere Art Museum. Represented by the reputable Schmidt-Dean Gallery in Philadelphia, she held two solo gallery shows in Philadelphia. Two of her graphite drawings were purchased and are displayed in the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Most recently, she had a graphite drawing displayed in the "CFEVA at 40" show at the Michener Museum. As her career flourished, Csilla remained dedicated to her family. Vera Leigh married Ryan Russo, and Csilla and Buz were thrilled to welcome two wonderful granddaughters, Viviana and Veronica. Csilla was as adept as a grandmother as she was a mother. She sang songs, invented games, and created many messy art projects, always encouraging the girls to stretch their creativity. As the young family relocated to Iowa, Csilla would visit for weeks at a time, supporting Vera Leigh and her children. When Ryan's job again relocated the family to Geneva, Switzerland, Csilla and Buz happily visited Europe, exploring snow covered Alps and crystal Swiss lakes. When the family returned to the US in the fall of 2021, Csilla and Buz were overjoyed to have the grandchildren within driving distance. Unfortunately, in the winter of 2022, Csilla was diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Despite the terrifying nature of the disease, Csilla bravely battled for 27 months, undergoing surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, clinical trials, and targeted therapies with the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center. She started hospice care in the spring of 2024, and passed away at home a short time later with her husband and daughter at her side. Csilla will be remembered as a loving wife, wonderful mother, gifted artist, and loyal friend. She was caring, insightful, intuitive, and generous. Her vibrancy and joy will not be soon forgotten. Her surviving family includes Emil (Buz), her husband for nearly 51 years; her daughter Vera-Leigh Russo and her husband, Ryan, granddaughters Viviana and Veronica of Wilmington, DE; and sisters Emese Mester of Yardley, PA and Ildiko Mester of Stockbridge, VT. Funeral services will be private. An art retrospective and life celebration will be planned in months ahead. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Center for Emerging Visual Artists (www.cfeva.org) or the Woodmere Art Museum (www.woodmereartmuseum.org) both in Philadelphia. Arrangements are under the care of the FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 S. Delaware Avenue Yardley, PA 19067. Condolences for the family can be left at www.fitzgeraldsommerfuneralhome.com.