We dedicate our best wishes to a woman who has been a precious member of the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft since 40 years and who has been working for her compatriots since her immigration to the US. Her full name is Theresia Teklits, her friends call her Tessi. In November she turned 80.

Despite of her age she kept all her commitment for her fellow people. She supports her family, the Burgenländer in the Lehigh Valley, the City of Northampton - everyone who needs her assistance. All the Northampton’s Mayors appreciated her: Tony Pani (who was born in Tudersdorf, Burgenland), Paul Kutzler (who developed the partnership with Stegersbach), even the current Mayor Tom Reenok (whose parents-in-law immigrated from Bocksdorf, Burgenland). No wonder, Northampton once proclaimed a „Tessi-Teklits-Day“.

Tessi was born in Prostrum (croat.: Petrovo Selo / hung.: Szentpéterfa), a village that became Austrian after World War I but was returned to Hungary a few months later. Like many Burgenländer she grew up speaking three languages. In America, she learned English, which she speaks fluently. So my wife talks to Tessi Hungarian, myself Croatian and my sons English. This was the Old Central Europe. Or is it the New as well?

After she and her husband came to the US, they raised a nice family. But their happiness didn’t last too long. Her beloved husband died in an industrial accident. Tessi remained with her children.
The former President of the BG Julius Gmoser and Tessi organized the first Charter flights back home in the 60’s. In Kleins Grove she initiated great Burgenländer Picnics with about 5.000 visitors. She became a representative of the BG in the Lehigh Valley. No wonder, she was awarded BG’s Honory Membership already in 1971.

Tessi is well known, in the US as well as in Burgenland. Each official delegation of the Burgenland Government and the Bishop also came to Northampton, where they enjoyed a warm welcome by Tessi and a pleasant stay. There used to be nice and amusing receptions at the Liederkranz, where our compatriots play and sing the old songs from home - also during the recent visit in May.
Tessi Teklits really deserved the huge number of Honors she has been awarded. We congratulate and thank her for all she has done in her life and wish her many years in health with her family, her friends and the Burgenländer in the Lehigh Valley.

Hvalimo Ti za Tvoju vjernost vjeri, domovini i materinskomu jeziku.

Isten àldja meg önt és a munkajàt és adjon még sok jó éveket.

Die Burgenländische Gemeinschaft dankt Tessi Teklits für ihre jahrzehntelange Arbeit und wünscht ihr viel Glück und Gesundheit.

Walter Dujmovits