Arlene Marks

December 5th, 2023

When I first started visiting Chicago with Rick meeting his family and friends beginning in 1984, Arlene was always one I looked forward to seeing. Her smile and musical voice, the twinkle in her eye which she had like nobody else, her interest in art, and her giggle still ring in my ears and it is a beautiful sound. The Marks family were and are to Rick and me—family. I love that because chosen family is so special. We talk about them with each other and within the Kahn family they are spoken of often and we are always happy to hear about their accomplishments, creativity which they all inherited from their mom. I love what Elise said about connecting the dots and David’s and Lawrence’s words as well full of mirth and joy which is perfect for her bubbly personality. Susan’s son did a great job with those precious words about her final days and the rescue of her art portfolios. I wish I could have been there at her life celebration but Rick and I were on a trip with friends and unfortunately our responsibility to follow through with them seemed to be the right thing to do. I want to say here how we both hope our connections to the family continue and please do reach out to us and we will do the same. I share the dream for a retrospective with Susan and the many others out there who have a twinkle of hope for this dream too. I will do everything I can to the best of my abilities to try to make sure she is remembered in some way by the art world or the baseball world. But if we are not successful, we can know she was focused on her mission, her process and the people she built wonderful relationships with and Elise summed that up so beautifully so she is happy with things unfolding as they do. THAT is a profound sort of grace I feel she has given all of us in such a demonstratively tangible way. But none the less, I look forward to whatever connections and dots we make in her honor as extended family or even for her art legacy if we could be so blessed for that to work out. She was an honorable lady who lived such a rich and creative life. Well done Arlene. We have an unusual small room in our home that seemed like an afterthought by the builders and we are so grateful now to have dedicated to her amazing art. We hope to host her children and grandchildren to visit this room and be our guests here at Muse House. Much love and hugs to the family and friends of this amazing and uniquely wonderful lady our aunt Arlene.

~Alana Maubury Hunter and Rick Kahn
~“Niece”, Willow Street, PA

November 25th, 2023

Arlene was a treasure. My wife Jane and I became related to her from our daughter Elizabeth’s marriage to her grandson Sam Schmetterer. Among our many enjoyable times with Arlene, one of the most memorable was taking her to the Art Institute of Chicago a few years ago, on what was her final visit there. She was a warm, creative and outspoken woman of strong character. But most of all, she was a beloved mother and grandmother who deeply loved her family and friends. Arlene is an inspiration to us all and she will always be warmly remembered.

~Phil Mullins
~My son-in-law Sam Schmetterer’s Grandmother, Berlin

November 7th, 2023

I met Arlene at Howard Brown in 1988. Arlene was a volunteer for me at AIDS Walk Chicago for three years. We remained friends after that.

My partner David Barlow looked forward to her art shows and our lunches and dinners, both in restaurants and at our houses in Chicago. She was a good and kind friend!

~Stephan Donovan
~Friend, Tucson, Arizona

November 5th, 2023

I have such fond memories of Arlene, and the entire Marks brood. Growing up a few blocks away, BFFs with Ilyse, I saw Arlene a lot as a kid and was always amazed by her creativity, warmed by her affectionate nature, and tickled her sometimes silly sense of humor. She was a wonderful friend to my mom, Phyllis. They shared a love of art, movies and books, as well as a strong commitment to feminism, civil rights, and progressive politics. Arlene’s legacy as an artist is truly impressive, and equally impressive is her legacy as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I know you will miss her, and I will too. My sincere condolences, and love to you all.

~Vicki Weiner
~Family friend, Brooklyn, NY

November 4th, 2023

I sill have fond memories of holiday parties at the Marks home: Rosh Hashana, Thanksgiving, and Passover. Memories of playing and running the halls with Laurence and Ilyse. I still regret never finding the afikomen, but reading The Four Questions as the youngest was fair compensation. Arlene was such a wonderful mom to all and the best party host. I am so sorry for your loss and my thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. –Howard Borchew

~Howard Borchew
~Cousin, Saratoga, CA

November 4th, 2023

My memories of growing up with “Aunt” Arlene and family are and will always be fond ones. She truly was like a second Aunt as well as “Uncle” Jerry. We shared a love of art together and I always admired her talent. She even bought me my first portfolio I used for many years. May her memory be a blessing and the beautiful art she created enjoyed by her family and future generations to come.

~Rob Kahn
~Family friend, Deerfield, IL

November 3rd, 2023

Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. Arlene Marks was a wonderful person and I’ll miss her very much.

~Halina Haag
~Friend, Roselle

November 3rd, 2023

To the Marks family,
I was sad to read about Mom. I will always remember her with a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone. She was a great neighbor, lots of wonderful memories.
May her memory be for a blessing.
Gloria Taussig

~Gloria Taussig
~Friend, Highland Park