It was with a heavy heart that we said goodbye to Piroska Imréné Vértes, a member of the audit committee of our Public Foundation, in the spring.

Piroska was an outstanding individual in Hungarian environmental education. She was a founding and hereditary member of the Hungarian Ornithology and Nature Conservation Association (MME). She received several awards for her work here. She was a defining figure in the life of the Tiszavasvári Local Group of the MME. She was the founder of the Youth Section of the TOT, i.e. the Nature Conservation and Ornithology Camp.

She actively participated in the creation and work of the "Tavaszlesen" competitions and camps organized by the Tiszatáj Public Foundation from the very beginning. Her teaching materials and worksheets are still used today when preparing the tests for the competitions.

Piroska was born in Debrecen on March 3, 1934. She also completed her schooling and studies in this city. She was introduced to the world of books, literature, and the wonderful world of acquiring knowledge through the library of the Franciscan monastery near their home. During her high school years, she was expelled from all schools in the country due to her religious worldview. However, she had the opportunity to continue her studies at the newly established music high school. She earned her teaching certificate at the faculty of the Academy of Music located in Debrecen. She also taught at the music schools of Mátészalka and Karcag. After graduating from kindergarten teacher training, she led a kindergarten group in Debrecen for a few years.

In the fall of 1970, her husband got a job at the "Alkaloida" Chemical Factory, so they moved to Tiszavasvári. Piroska first taught singing at the Váci Mihály High School and then at the Kabay János Elementary School. She achieved many successes with her choirs. Here, at the Kabay School, she joined the environmental education that was just starting, and became one of its outstanding methodologists and leaders. She became the leader of one of the 10 educational centers established nationwide in 1983, the Tiszavasvári Wise Owl Educational Center. During the work carried out here, environmental education became known both nationally and internationally. The MME also recognized his outstanding work in the field of environmental education with the "Tamás Brellos" Award in 2019.

She was a member of the supervisory board of the Tiszatáj Public Foundation from its establishment until his death. She actively participated in many of the Foundation’s domestic and international events.

In her old age, she encountered folk dance, which – while she could move – brought her great joy. Tiszavasvári, which welcomed her, became her beloved home, which she never wanted to leave.

She dedicated her entire life to education, but especially to upbringing, where love and respect for the homeland and each other were the most important.

Death took her before her 91st birthday. She returned her soul to her creator. - We remember you with gratitude, Piroska!