She was born in the United States to Pál Dohányos and Mária Gura. She had eight siblings, one of whom became a nun. He attended St. Joseph’s RC School in Hazleton and completed his preparatory studies at St. Joseph’s College in New York State. He completed his studies at St. Bonaventure’s College, then entered the seminary in Paterson, New Jersey, and completed his religious studies in Lemont, Illinois. On May 29, 1926, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Edward Hoban in Chicago, Illinois, and on May 31, 1926, he celebrated his first Mass at St. Joseph’s RC Church in Hazleton. He served as a chaplain with the rank of major in the United States Army during World War II and was chaplain of Hazleton Post 76 of the American Legion. There is a discrepancy between his obituary and the KMVÉ regarding his places of service.

According to his obituary, he served as a missionary in the following U.S. locations: Pittsburgh, PA; Val Pariso, IN; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Roebling, NJ; New Brunswick, NJ; Carteret, NJ; Passaic, NJ; and Patterson, NJ.