We have received the sad news that Agi Katz, a long-term Ladies’ Pond swimmer and KLPA member, died on 12 August 2021. Agi will be remembered fondly by many of our community, and had been a regular year-round pond swimmer since the 1990s. She swam a distinctive side-stroke and was a kind, welcoming presence at the Ladies’ Pond.
Agi, who survived the Nazi occupation of Hungary from 1944, arrived in England as a refugee following the 1956 Hungarian Uprising. She lived near to the Heath on the Holly Lodge Estate, and for many years ran the Boundary Gallery. In 2019 Agi was diagnosed with cancer but did not let this put her off an active life. The Covid-secure measures at the Ladies’ Pond from July 2020 actually made it possible for her to continue to swim safely and her daughter Julia has praised the support of the Lifeguards in making this happen.
In 2020 the Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution and photographer Ruth Corney produced “Remarkable Highgate Women” which included Agi’s story here.
On Wednesday 18 August 2021, Agi’s daughters Julia and Alex would like to invite her friends to gather at the Ladies’ Pond and join a swim at 9.15 am, followed by breakfast, and shared memories of Agi.
