LIVINGSTON MANOR – Inextricably tied to the fly-fishing community of Livingston Manor, Agnes Van Put, the hamlet’s oldest resident, passed away at 109 years old on Wednesday, January 21. 

Beginning in 1984, she worked at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum in Livingston Manor as a hostess in the gift shop, where she was well known for her hospitality, and her baked goods. Every year she made soup for Opening Day of trout season in April. 

In 2019, at the age of 104, Agnes was inducted by the Catskill Fly Fishing Center as a “Catskill Legend”, celebrated for her warmth and dedication to the fly-fishing community.

“Agnes was the epitome of love, and gave from her heart to everyone she loved–family and friends,” said Judy Van Put, Agnes’ daughter in law. “She was a much beloved part of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum, as evidenced by the sign that hangs in the kitchen that proudly proclaims: Agnes Van Put’s Kitchen.”

Born on August 15, 1916 in Prospect Park, NJ to the late Henry Richard Post and Johanna Carlough Post, she began working at the age of 15 to help support the family of eight after her father became ill. 

“She had an incredibly strong work ethic, and took pride in never being late,” Judy said. “She worked throughout her long life, well into her hundreds.”

When she was 18 she married Emil Van Put; they raised two children, Edward and Russell, in northern New Jersey. In the 1970s, Agnes and Emil moved to Livingston Manor near their son, Ed, and converted a small barn into a cozy home where she resided, completely independently, until the age of 108.

She was an integral part of the community, not only through her work with the Fly Fishing Center, but also being involved in organizations such as the Livingston Manor Senior Citizens Club and, after managing delicatessens in New Jersey, helped set up the delicatessen section of Pecks market.

Agnes leaves behind many family members and friends, including six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 30 from 3-7 p.m. in the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave., Roscoe. A Mass of Christian Burial will be performed on Saturday, January 31 at 11 a.m. in St. Aloysius Church, Livingston Manor. Father Edward Bader will officiate. Burial will be in Lew Beach Cemetery in the Spring (see obituary on page 4B). 

A Celebration of Agnes’s Life will take place at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center in August, coinciding with her 110th birthday during Summerfest, and all are welcome to attend.