Maria Glickstein

On Sunday, January 29, 2023, Maria Rita Hernadi Glickstein (74) passed away peacefully, in Columbia, TN while family sang “Jesus Loves Me” to her.

Maria was born on July 27, 1948 in Louvain, Belgium to Julius and Maria (Zelles) Hernadi who were Hungarian refugees displaced by WWII.  In 1951 at age 2 she with her father, mother and older brother, Julius, immigrated to the United States.  They arrived in Long Island, NY before settling in Philadelphia, PA in 1952.  Maria attended The Little Flower School and graduated from Springfield High School in 1966. As an adult she lived a majority of her life in Tennessee and came to consider it “home.” Throughout Maria’s life she grew in her love of Jesus and her faith in His grace.  Although she is greatly missed, there is comfort in knowing she is now in Heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Maria loved people and rarely met a stranger.  She dedicated her life to helping people and giving to those in need.  She had a gift for uplifting others with words of love and encouragement. A talented artist, Maria created paintings, penned loving letters written in elegant manuscript, made stained glass and other types of art pieces still treasured by those she gifted them to.  She had a love of animals and was generous with her resources to help all types of animals in need. Maria especially loved horses, had a hobby farm when her children were young, and once owned a horse whose grandsire was Roy Rogers’ “Trigger”.

Her happiest times were spent caring for and visiting with her three sons, their wives and her eight grandchildren who affectionately called her “Nonni”. Whenever together she would sing them songs, teach them to draw and tell them of the love of Jesus.  Maria loved music and had a beautiful singing voice, a talent she handed on to her sons and their children. 

Maria is survived by her loving family: Brother, Julius Hernadi of Philadelphia, PA.  Her three sons and their families: Jonathan and Alissa, James, Maria and Clara Glickstein of IL; Josiah and Lisa Glickstein of NY; David and Ester, Asher, Judah, Naomi, Selah and Yael Glickstein of FL. 

Services will be held in Tennessee, in February, for immediate family to attend.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or to your church or charity of choice.