Pehl, Ilona (Kovacs) of Lexington, MA formerly of Hudson, Florida, Haverhill, MA, and Tatabanya, Hungary, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on August 5, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Gyorgy Pehl. Loving mother of Joseph Pehl of Lexington and Ilona Vassalo and her husband Eider of Lexington. Sister of Ida Szigethy of Tatabanya, Hungary and the late Maria Domonkosne of Budapest, Hungary. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Tia, Ilona, Sean, and Ryan, 4 great-grandchildren, Tiffany, Aidan, Dillon, and Jayden, 4 great-great-grandchildren, Kayden, Tianna, Keagan, and Jaiden, and by many nieces and nephews.

Ilona escaped Soviet Hungary during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, and emigrated to the United States, where she devoted her time to raising her children and grandchildren. An accomplished home cook and baker, she would spend much time in the kitchen preparing hearty Hungarian soups, stews, and roasts, along with delectable pastries and confections, for her family and many friends. She enjoyed traveling back to Hungary to spend time with family, relatives, and friends, where she would reminisce about the Old Country over delicious food and drink. She loved gardening, had an exceptional green thumb, and grew many flowers and vegetables throughout the warmer seasons, and tended to her beloved orchids throughout the years. Above all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday August 12 at the Douglass Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Rd. Lexington, MA at 11am. Visitation immediately prior to the service from 9:30am to 11am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to New England Botanical Gardens (www.nebg.org/donate - please indicate In Memoriam for Ilona Pehl).

Interment private.