Anna Fazekas ... aka 'The Carwash Lady'

ROCHESTER - Anna Fazekas, AKA "The Carwash Lady."
From 1969 through the early 1990's, Nani as she was affectionately called, more than likely washed your car or truck. She was the spitfire who worked at the family owned and operated Fazekas Carwash in Rochester.
If her genuine smile and friendly greeting didn't win you over, then perhaps her quaint Hungarian accent did.
She died on Thursday, June 30, 2016, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 85. COPD was the culprit, though she never smoked.
During the revolution of 1956, Nani along with her husband Joseph, six year old daughter Suzie, and two year old son Ervin, chose to leave their loved ones, home they had just built, and all of their possessions behind to escape communist controlled Hungary. With only one suitcase in hand, they paid to be hidden on a train that crossed into Austria in hopes that they would find freedom, and a better life.
In 1959, her dreams came true when she and her family were able to leave Europe for America. Arriving in the U.S. with just $178, no command of the English language, no relatives, and no jobs, she and Joseph were determined to achieve the American Dream, and build a life for themselves. They often worked two jobs. Their children served as interpreters, as the English language did not come easy to Joseph or Nani.
Starting out as a part-time housekeeper for an executive at the Seth Thomas Clock Co, Nani was able to secure a job at the factory making components and assembling the well known clocks.
In 1969, she and Joseph heard opportunity knocking. A car wash came up for sale in Rochester, N.H. Joseph's knowledge of the business was key, as he and son Ervin installed and maintained car washes throughout New England. Nani's willingness and entrepreneurial spirit allowed the family to move from Connecticut to Rochester, N.H. Fazekas Car Wash was born.
Fast forward to today, her son, and daughter and grandchildren grew the business to four locations, Sanford Car Wash Centers in Sanford, Maine, and Mr. Bubbles in Portsmouth and Rochester.
She was never afraid of getting dirty or carrying the heavy end. Working at the car wash was her fulltime hobby. Her fulltime job though, was family. Cookouts, grandkids sleeping over, holidays at Nani's, Just simple family fun was her greatest source of pleasure.
Happy, friendly, honest, proud, unselfish, hardworking, loving, and caring, right to the end. We will miss her.
Nani is survived by her daughter Suzie Vessels of Sanford, Maine; her son Ervin and wife Kathleen of Rochester, N.H.; her five loving grandchildren, Danny Vessels and wife Michelle of Sanford, Maine; Angela Taylor and husband Heath of Sanford, Maine; Chris Fazekas and wife Leann of Rochester, N.H.; Katie Kostis and husband George of Dover, N.H.; and Ervin Elvis Fazekas of Rochester, N.H.; eight beautiful great grandchildren Brady and Mackenzie Taylor, Cameron and Drew Vessels, Ty and Ali Fazekas, and Anna and Nikki Kostis.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, in 2010.