Agnes Vertes

Agnes Vertes (née Katz), known affectionately as Agi, passed away surrounded by her loving family on January 5, 2025. She left a legacy of resilience, education, and profound impact. Born on September 4, 1940, in Budapest, Hungary, Agi's life was a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
Agi was the eldest daughter of Armin Katz, a successful businessman who owned a textile import/export company, and Iren Katz (née Gluck), who came from a deeply religious family in Budapest. As a child, Agi, along with her younger sister Zsuzi, survived the Holocaust as hidden children, a harrowing experience that shaped her lifelong dedication to education and remembrance. In 1956, amidst the Hungarian Revolution, Agi and her sister fled to Vienna, where they lived independently for six months, supporting themselves through odd jobs and trading U.S. dollars. In February 1957, their parents and younger brother Lutzi joined them, and the family emigrated to the United States. Agi quickly adapted to her new life in America, mastering English and attending Hunter College in New York City. It was there that she met her future husband, Michael Vertes, also a Holocaust survivor from Budapest. The couple married in January 1961, embarking on a life together grounded in shared experiences and mutual strength. After graduating from college, Agi began her career as a mathematics teacher in the New York City public school system.
Always driven to achieve, she earned her MBA and transitioned to a successful career in the corporate world. However, Agi's true calling was Holocaust education. A gifted speaker and storyteller, she produced three award winning documentaries about the Holocaust, reaching countless people across the United States. Agi spoke to thousands of students, sharing her experiences as a child survivor and emphasizing the importance of remembrance and understanding. Her speeches often concluded with a poignant declaration: her children and grandchildren were her "revenge on Hitler." As President of the Child Survivors of Connecticut, Agi was a pillar of the community, fostering connection and education among survivors and younger generations alike.
Agi is survived by her loving children: Roger Vertes (wife Rina) and their children, Marissa Persky (husband David) and Joshua Vertes; and Vivian Rockmacher (husband Warren) and their children, Talia Rockmacher, David Rockmacher, Zachary Rockmacher, and Sara Rockmacher Fergason (husband Elijah). Her legacy lives on in her family, who carry forward her values, stories, and dedication to making the world a better place.
Funeral services will be held on January 7, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Temple Israel Cemetery 225 Richards Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850.
Donations in memory of Agnes Vertes can be made to: Claims Conference - Conference On Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (www.claimscon.org), Friends Of The Israel Defense Forces (www.fidf.org/about-fidf), Anachnu (www.ctjfs.org/anachnu), or any charity supporting Israel, holocaust survivors and antisemitism education. May her memory be a blessing and an inspiration to all who knew her.