Eva Panto

Native of Hungary

Eva Panto, 86, died peacefully in her sleep Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at her youngest son's home in Florida after a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Panto was a longtime resident of Gaffney before moving in 2006 for treatment of her cancer.

The widow of B.J. Panto, who was a writer for The Gaffney Ledger, she was also predeceased by her sister Magdolna "Mrs K" Krzyzewsky, with whom she worked at Hamrick's store for many years.

She was born in Hungary and, after graduating college, was a first grade elementary school teacher. Toward the end of World War II, she and her husband were forced to flee Hungary under fire from invading troops. They wound up in DP (displaced persons) camps in Western Germany after the war, where she gave birth to their three sons. The family emigrated to America in 1950, where she finished raising the children with great love and devotion.

She was an avid gardener, and her house on Pacolet Highway was always full of colorful flowers for the enjoyment of passersby.

She is survived by her three loving and appreciative sons, Tim Panto of New York, Tom Panto of Gaffney and Bill Panto of Florida; three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She will be buried next to her mother in Gaffney. There will be no local services.