The close-knit communities of Sydney and Slovakia are united in grief following the death of 82-year-old Marika Pogany, one of the fifteen victims killed in Sunday's terrorist attack at a Hanukah event on Bondi Beach.
A Life Defined by Quiet Kindness and Service
Marika Pogany was a mother, grandmother, and a pillar of Sydney's Jewish community for decades. Described by friends as possessing a "radiant smile" and a calm, lovely demeanour, her life was characterised by selfless service. For nearly 30 years, she volunteered with the Centre of Activity Sydney (COA), a group supporting Jewish seniors.
Her commitment went far beyond formal duties. The COA noted she was "a source of warmth for thousands of people," assisting with meal deliveries, event cooking, and hospital visits. She would go into people's homes and change lightbulbs, if that's the assistance they needed, the group stated, highlighting her practical, unfussy compassion. She delivered an astonishing 15,000 meals through a kosher meals-on-wheels program, an effort for which she received the Jewish Communal Appeal's "Mensch Award" in 2019.
A Beloved Friend and Bridge Enthusiast
Matthew Mullamphy, owner of the Harbourview Bridge Club in Bellevue Hill, was a friend for nearly 40 years. He remembers Pogany as a vivacious, active woman who was a regular and skilled player every Tuesday afternoon. "She was always so beautiful … She was always doing things, always travelling," he recalled.
Her circle of friends extended to the highest levels of her native Slovakia. She was a close family friend of former Slovak president Zuzana Čaputová and attended her presidential inauguration in 2019. In an emotional Instagram tribute, Čaputová revealed Pogany's deep personal history, having survived the loss of most of her family in the Holocaust. "Sydney was a refuge for her, far from the evils of fascism and communism," Čaputová wrote.
A Tragic Loss at a Place of Refuge
The attack on Sunday has left friends and communities reeling. Mullamphy grew concerned when Pogany missed the bridge club's Christmas party on Monday. A friend showed him a photograph placing her in the front row at the Annual Chanukah Festival. After attempts to call her failed, the devastating confirmation came through: Pogany was among the dead.
Tributes have emphasised her unwavering, quiet support. The COA said she showed how people should be cared for, adding: "She never let anyone feel alone." Tragically, the very beach that represented safety and community for her became the site of the violence that ended her life. As Čaputová poignantly wrote: "She died on her favourite Bondi beach. Marika will be greatly missed."
