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CZECHOSLOVAK SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES |
Tribute to Emilia Royco (1909-2005)
Mila Rechcigl's Eulogy
It seems only yesterday - actually it was six years ago - when we paid a special tribute to Milka, on the occasion of her historical 90th birthday. It is with sadness that we meet here today to bid her farewell. She would not want us, of course, to be gloomy on this day, preferring to be remembered on a joyous note.
Eva and I have known Emilka and her marvelous family since they first moved to the Washington area in the early sixties. We are probably Emilka?s and Emil?s oldest friends here. While we all have visibly aged, it seems that she had not changed a bit with coming years, and looked exactly the same as when I first set my eyes on her - cute, sexy, vivacious, elegant, amusing. witty, energetic, smart, resourceful, hospitable, generous and .......I could go on and on with other fitting adjectives.
Emil was, of course, well aware of the treasure when he married her. I don?t know how many of you know their love story. Both Emil and Emilka came from patriotic Slovak families. When efforts were on the way towards establishing an independent Czechoslovakia, Emil's father, who was living with his family in St. Louis at that time , wanted to be a part of the war effort and so he immediately joined the Czechoslovak Legion, thereby participating in the triumphant legendary march of the legionnaires, all the way from Siberia to the newly established Czechoslovak state.
Emil, who was an American by birth, showed his love to his ethnic roots even more intimately when he decided to marry the Slovak girl of his dreams, whom he met during a brief visit in the small Slovak town of Lubina near Trencin. It was love at first sight when he met the vivacious, pretty postmistress. But, being quite young then and lacking suitable means to support his future bride, he told her that he would return to the States where he was living, get an education, and then, when he could support her, would return for her. She consented and, true to his word, after putting himself through college and graduating from Washington University with an Architect's degree and a job, he returned for her. They were married and managed to take the last boat from Europe before the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia in 1938. Emilka and Emil settled in St. Louis where their daughter Emiline was born.
This story reflects some basic characteristics of Emil and Milka Royco family - their love, faith, initiative, determination and perseverance. When one talks about one, one really has to talk about both, as they always worked as a perfect team.
After moving to Washington, Emil and Emilka became progressively more and more involved in the affairs of our Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences, or SVU, as we call it, first in the local chapter, and then in the national organization. They gave it their 100%. They took over the local arrangements for several congresses and did a marvelous job. When they were in charge of the Majales Ball they worked ever so hard to make them the success that they were.
Of all the people I have known in the Czechoslovak Washington community, Milka was the only one who never used "NO" in her vocabulary. Whenever someone was ill or in need, she was always there ready to help. When someone needed a shelter, she immediately offered room and board in their house. When someone needed a donation. she was the first to give. She was also the hardest working person during the SVU Bazaars. Her cooking and baked goods could win all the contests and her scrumptious cookies, particularly her "rozky", which were her specialty, we all adored. They had a profound affect on all radio and TV announcers who were lucky enough to taste them - and who then went out of their way to promote the SVU Bazaar on their shows. And as if this were not enough, Emilka devoted one day a week to do voluntary work at Georgetown University Hospital for some 45 years. Nothing was ever too much work for her.
Her love and interest in people was her trademark. She would always want to know the accomplishments of our children and served as a grandmother to ever so many. She remembered everything about everyone - an incredible trait. She was proud of Emiline and Marvin and their accomplishments. When asked about her daughter and son-in-law her bright eyes would light up and proudly tell us their accomplishments.
Already some 25 years ago, the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences had long recognized Emilka?s and Emil's contributions by awarding them SVU Founding Memberships. the highest award SVU could bestow on its members. No other husband-and-wife-team has ever been so honored in the entire SVU history.
For all that she had done, Emilka deserves our appreciation and our love and I am happy to say that she is indeed surrounded here by the warmest love one can hope for - from her most loving daughter Emiline and from her most devoted son-in-law Marvin Ott, both SVU members, as well as tens, if not hundreds, of her dear friends. So, it is with great honor and humility for me to thank her again - at this occasion - for all she has done and bid her farewell. She was so loved and will be terribly missed by all of us but always remembered. The exuberant smile and enthusiasm with which she attended every function will surely be missed.
Note: Emile ("Milka") Royco), 96, died peacefully in her sleep November 11, 2005 at her home in Bethesda, MD.
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