Agnes Kazal

On the evening of April 11, 2015, Agnes Kazal passed from death to life into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was in her home surrounded by family: her husband of 50 years, Zoltan Kazal; her daughter, Andrea Kazal Moormans; son-in-law Mark W. Moormans; and her grandchildren, whom she greatly cherished. The day was filled with songs and prayer as she journeyed ever closer to her ultimate goal, eternal life with Christ. Agnes was born in Miskolc, Hungary on September 24,1937 to Andras Varga, who was a pilot in the Hungarian Air Force, and Ilona Kovacs. In 1945 her family fled Hungary and sought refuge in Klagenfurt, Austria, where they stayed in a displaced persons camp for two years. From there they immigrated to the United States, arriving at Ellis Island in 1947 when she was nine years old. Her family made their home in Passaic, NJ and became very involved in the growing Hungarian community there. She was actively involved in the Hungarian Scouts, church and school, and despite many relocations remained in close contact with many dear friends made those childhood years. She was married on November 28, 1964 to Zoltan Kazal, also an immigrant from Hungary. After giving birth to their daughter, Andrea, they moved to Lincoln Park, NJ where they spent the next 31 years together. She worked several jobs over the years, including making custom men's hair pieces from her home and as a legal secretary for the law office of the late Harry Zax, Esq. in Paterson, NJ. Agnes loved to garden and made every property she inhabited her own mini paradise on earth. She was a seamstress, musician and artist and enjoyed sewing clothes for her daughter and grandchildren, playing the piano, writing poetry, and painting. Her greatest joys were cooking, entertaining, dancing and gardening, especially when surrounded by family and friends. She was involved in many charitable organizations including Gift of Life International which provides gratis treatment to children with heart disease from developing countries. She hosted many families who came from Hungary for surgery in NYC. Agnes had an unmatched candor that entertained those around her wherever she went. Her perseverance and determination allowed her to face and overcome many trials throughout her life, but her two greatest gifts were her ability to make people laugh and her amazing thoughtfulness towards others. In 1999 she moved to Apex, NC to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law who were expecting their first child, Cosette Sophia. There she also welcomed her second and third granddaughters, Ceanna Tess and Joy Eliana. She taught all three to swim in the family pool, planted flowers with them and played endless rounds of games with them. She won their hearts and each eagerly awaited their special times with "mama," as they affectionately called her. In 2012, after being diagnosed with cancer, Agnes came to the mountains of Abingdon, VA with her husband. She lived there in the care of her daughter and son-in-law. She was blessed to have many kind and compassionate caregivers who embodied the love of Christ in their service to her. A heartfelt thank-you to Marilyn Showalter and family, Scott and Amanda Montgomery and family, Alisha Bales, Anita Ketron, Donna Altman and Christy Brown. Agnes is survived by her husband, Zoltan Kazal; her daughter, Andrea Kazal Moormans; her son-in-law, Mark W. Moormans; her three beloved grandchildren Cosette, Tess, and Joy; her brother Andrew Varga; sisters-in law Mary Jane Varga and Dolores Varga; nieces Lee Ann Varga and Michelle Varga Dato; nephew Andrew Varga; brother-in-law Laszlo Kazal; family in Hungary; and many friends in New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia and Hungary. Her parents, brother, Peter Varga and niece, Doreen Varga, preceded her in death. Agnes' greatest life achievement was to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of her sins and enter into a redeemed relationship with Jesus Christ, one which she now enjoys for eternity. Our greatest joy is knowing she is now dancing with Him forever. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destructions and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 Burial services will be held on Saturday April, 18, 2015 at Wild Hope Homestead in the Moormans family cemetery. Sympathy cards may be mailed to: Moormans Family, 790B West Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Memorial contributions may be made in remembrance of Agnes to Ecumenical Faith in Action, Abingdon (276) 628-4813