by Nate Widom
As Judy took a leisurely walk in her new neighborhood, she stumbled across a brick building. Little did she know it would be her second home.
Judy Katz is probably a face you’ve seen before at HAC, especially if you frequent our group fitness classes. She’ll chat with members and employees alike, brightening their days with even the briefest conversations, and she’s got more energy and spunk at 84 than most have at 24.
As a child, Judy was always active. “I guess it’s just my personality,” she says. “When I was growing up in the 40s and 50s, kids were always outside.” Her town even lacked school buses, so she’d always walk to school and play outside.
Judy graduated from high school in 1957 in New Jersey. After years of commuting from the Garden State to the Big Apple, she married her husband in 1960 and later had two kids. Several years later, she obtained a teaching degree, taught for a few years, and then moved to insurance sales. Eventually, Judy needed another change and franchised a Sylvan Learning Center in 1985. This was the company’s first location in New Jersey and it was very successful. For its success, Judy credits her sales skills. “You can’t just open a business and expect people to come flooding in,” she says. “I used all my experience in sales, on the telephone closing—which is getting the check. I helped many kids and families.”
In 1994, right before her grandson was born, Judy sold her franchise and moved to Delaware to be closer to her family. She had visited the area many times before and she and her husband were big fans. “We loved Delaware. We love that we’re so close to everything,” she says.
During a stroll through their new neighborhood, a large brick building with its own parking lot stood out in the sea of residential homes. That building was Pike Creek Fitness. Judy walked inside, liked what she saw, and promptly joined. The next thing she knew, she was taking classes, working out, and socializing with her new neighbors in her new neighborhood.
Judy took up Zumba very quickly, and it’s given her some of her most beloved memories. Judy would impress instructors and members alike with her excellent dancing ability. “That was just my absolute favorite. I loved dancing! I’ve had things I wanted to do in my life; one was dancing, and one was singing.”
After six years, Judy had to cancel her membership due to sickness. By the time she recovered, Pike Creek Fitness had moved to a new location and taken on a new name—Hockessin Athletic Club. Judy joined and returned to taking classes, working out, and socializing once again.
“How could you not fall in love with this place? I mean, there is everything here,” Judy explains. “And I did whatever was available. I tried every class. I tried all the small group classes. Some of them were really hard, but I didn’t stop. I think I’ve done everything. I’ve done it all!”
“I tried every class. I tried all the small group classes. Some of them were really hard, but I didn’t stop. I think I’ve done everything. I’ve done it all!”
By the mid-2010s, Judy had solidified her reputation as a cheerleader for fellow members, eventually catching the attention of Susan Storm, HAC’s group fitness director at the time. Susan recommended she get certified and teach classes of her own. This shocked Judy. “I said, ‘Really!?’” she recalls, “I was 78 at the time.” She was apprehensive, but after speaking to her family, they gave her the support she needed. The next thing she knew, she was traveling to Philadelphia to obtain her certification. She taught a hula hoop class and subbed for many classes, including stretching, functional strength, advanced conditioning, and core. “There I was, back to teaching again. I guess I was always a teacher at heart,” she says. Funny enough, Judy initially never wanted to be a teacher at all, despite having earned a teaching degree and owned a Sylvan Learning Center franchise.
In 2021, Judy underwent open-heart surgery, and her recovery was incredibly fast. She even got right back into her outdoor walking routine just one week post-op! Even though she had to pause instruction, she returned to HAC, continuing to be a well-known face in the community.
One of Judy’s more unique HAC legacies has been her Mahjong club. Prior to COVID-19, Judy and several other members turned friends would meet in the HAC café weekly to casually play. “They love it, they all bought sets, and they just love the game! I taught my grandkids. My daughter is now teaching someone, and my oldest granddaughter said, ‘Oh my god, that’s my future, from Grandma, to Mom, to me.” Since the pandemic, the crew has transitioned to playing online.
“I just feel like this is such a great place to be,” Judy concludes. “To me, I’m just so comfortable here. I have so many friends. People call me the mayor, but I think that’s funny.” Her philosophy is to say hello to people, start conversations, and make new friends. And even at 84, Judy continues to make friends at HAC amongst different generations of gym-goers.
I just feel like this is such a great place to be. To me, I’m just so comfortable here. I have so many friends. People call me the mayor, but I think that’s funny.
Judy Katz
