Irma Progner

Irma Progner died peacefully in her home in Venice, Florida in her 88th year on December 15, 2007. She was born on June 10, 1919 in Slovakia in the city of Gorgernberg. After fleeing the Soviet occupation, ethnic cleansing and tyranny of her homeland, she immigrated to the United States in 1952. Through hard work and good luck, she and her husband Albert were able to realize the American dream and in 1959 opened a very successful German-Hungarian butcher shop in Philadelphia. In 1970, they started yet another new life and bought the Keystone Motel in Cape May, NJ. Nine years later in 1978, when most people would be thinking of retirement, they built the beautiful Sea Crest Inn, which to this day is still family-owned and operated. Most of the long-time guests of the Sea Crest loved Irma’s larger than life personality. A business woman par excellence, she will always be remembered and loved by the many people whose life she touched. She is survived by her loving husband, Albert (Bela) Progner, devoted and cherished mother of Walter, wife Miriam, and Robert, wife, Cynthia. Granddaughters Claire Progner and her husband Derek Reed and Maria Nixon and her husband Brian, great-grandchildren Lea, Elena, Julianna Nixon and Brendan Progner-Reed. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 11:00AM at Farley Funeral Home in Venice. A private burial will be in Philadelphia with a memorial service at a later date. Donations may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, Texas 75284-0692. Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements.