Marta Kovats DiCarlo

Marta DiCarlo passed away on November 21,2024 at the age of 89.

Born in Budapest, Hungary. Marta faced and triumphed over many obstacles. Beyond enduring a World War and communism, she contracted rheumatic fever at age 12. Which kept her bedridden for two years and would later in life result in three open-heart surgeries. In 1956, Marta evaded guard towers and escaped Hungary by wading a river to freedom. She traveled alone to the U.S., among the 10,000 refugees invited from Hungary. With grandparents in St. Petersburg, Florida, she secured a job as a pie cutter at the Driftwood Cafeteria. She learned English quickly, having studied in school before the war, which led to a cashier position, and eventually handled accounting for the whole business.

After a short marriage she delivered her pride and joy George. Marta met, and married, Robert (Bob) DiCarlo. Their mutual love of art, travel, the Broncos and the family cabin in Breckenridge brought 50 happy years of marriage and two daughters, Andrea and Mona. Over the years, they were recognized in the swimming community as the parents of George DiCarlo, two-time Olympic medalist, which brought them both pride.

She will be lovingly remembered by her larger-than-life, zesty Hungarian spirit. You could hear her spicy accent from afar and grow eager to be in her company. She was a representative of the world for Southeast Denver, sparking the imagination of all who met her, she loved to entertain with fine China and Hungarian cuisine- and for many, it's hard to forget the Pálinka! Her treasured homeland firewater repatriated in glass Pepsi bottles, was the centerpiece of many parties at the DiCarlo home. She had an open-door policy- everyone was always welcome.

Marta and Bob traveled to 77 countries, from Antarctica to Iceland- Turkey was her favorite. She fiercely loved her grandchildren. Mika, Casey, Zoe(Andrea), Sydney, McKenna(George), Erin and Ryan(Mona) were the delight of her life. she was sassy and full of opinion, like it or not, until the end. She will be greatly missed. 

Memorial service honoring Marta DiCarlo will be held Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 1p.m. at Horan and McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 E. County Line Rd. Centennial Co, 80122. A reception to follow.

The obituary along with service details can also be found in the Denver Post.