Louise Brink Géczy, a dedicated educator and passionate advocate for human rights, passed away on October 27, 2023, at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Harford County, Maryland. She was 79 years old. Géczy was renowned for her commitment to teaching and inspiring students at the John Carroll School in Bel Air, where she fostered moral courage and compassion among her pupils.
Stephen A. DiBiagio, president of John Carroll School, described her as a “magnificent human being” whose “steel resolve” transformed the lives of many students. Born in Lorain, Ohio, she was the daughter of Cletus “Kayo” Brink and Mary Louise Stewart Brink. Géczy earned her degree from the University of South Florida and began her teaching career at Eau Gallie High School in Florida, where she met her husband, Louis Géczy, a fellow educator.
After relocating to Maryland, Géczy became a significant figure in the Baltimore County public school system. She taught English, creative writing, and public speaking, with notable tenures at Perry Hall High School, where she also advised the literary magazine. Her profound impact on education extended to her role as a Fulbright Scholar in Hungary from 1993 to 1994, which connected her to her husband’s ancestral homeland.
Legacy of Advocacy and Education
Upon joining the faculty at John Carroll School, Géczy continued her dedication to education by teaching English and public speaking. She played a pivotal role as an academic project manager, developing the senior project program that allowed students to explore meaningful topics. Her daughter, Michelle Géczy, highlighted her contributions to establishing Senior Unity Day and her influence on the school’s Human Rights and Holocaust programming, including Holocaust Remembrance Day and organizing senior class trips to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Géczy also led the “Lessons of the Shoah,” an annual event in partnership with the Baltimore Jewish Council. Her efforts in education and human rights earned her several accolades, including the 2024 International Peace and Justice Award and the 2009 and 2023 Ponczak-Greenblatt Families Awards for Excellence in Holocaust Education. Jake Hollin, an assistant principal at John Carroll, noted her ability to emphasize human dignity and give a voice to those often unheard in society.
“Louise was an amazing woman,” Hollin remarked, reflecting on her lasting impact.
Remembering a Passionate Educator
Géczy was celebrated not just for her teaching but also for her character. Michelle described her mother as “compassionate, humble, generous, and kind,” noting that she inspired countless students with her wisdom and creativity. Her encouragement instilled confidence in many, enabling them to find their own voices.
Outside the classroom, Géczy enjoyed gardening, browsing bookstores and libraries, and playing games like Scrabble and cards. She had a fondness for crab cakes, antiquing, and chocolate milkshakes made with vanilla ice cream, as shared by her daughter.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on November 29, 2023, at the John Carroll School in Bel Air. Géczy is survived by her daughters, Michelle Géczy of Baltimore, Jessica Géczy-Shertzer of Conowingo, and Allison Fordyce of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. She is also remembered by her two sisters, and five grandchildren. Her husband, Louis Géczy, who taught at Parkville High School, passed away in 2023.
Louise Brink Géczy’s legacy as an educator and champion of human rights will continue to inspire future generations.
