Remembering Arlyne Garten
 NIADA
artists, patrons and friends have come together to
honor the incomparable Arlyne Garten. Arlyne was
born on October 9, 1925 in New York City. She worked
as an interior designer for many years in New York
City and later in Scottsdale, Arizona. While living
in Arizona she became very involved in activities
at the renown Heard Museum. She was drawn to the
institution’s
mission of accurately portraying the arts and culture
of Native Americans. In 1982, June Goodnow sponsored
Arlyne’s application to NIADA.
By the mid 80’s Arlyne had
retired in Washington DC and was a very active NIADA
member. Over the years she took on every role open
to patrons. Arlyne carefully kept personal records
of her responsibilities and of each NIADA conference.
No task gave her more pleasure than welcoming newcomers
to NIADA and maintaining contact with the artists
and patrons she came to love. Early on, Arlyne teamed
up with fellow New Yorker Barbara Steiker. The two
came to epitomize the very essence of what the honorific
term patron
is all about. Arlyne’s vast collection stands
as a testament to her respect of the doll as art
and of her affection for the artists.
In recent years Arlyne worked
as a volunteer at the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian
as well as the American History Museum. For more
than a decade, she took the METRO to her regular
assignment in the White House information office.
Arlyne’s circle of interests was wide, but
she never feared stretching it to include a new adventure,
embrace a new friend or to travel. Arlyne passed
away on July 24, 2009. Here members of that circle
share their memories of one gone too soon. Enjoy!
~ Juanita Zientara, Patron
NIADA Artists
Unbridled Laughter…Devotion to Friendship…Dedication
to Art…Champion of Causes…Beauty of
Soul and Appearance…Each Memory a Treasure…Each
Thought a Gift. We love you, Arlyne.
~Jodi and Richard Creager
When I first came to NIADA as
a nervous visiting artist Arlyne was the 1st person
to greet me and never failed to be encouraging.
Whenever I next looked in the mirror after a big
hug & kiss for Arlyne
I always was a big lipstick smack on my cheek!
~Kathryn Walmsley
Arlyne, I bless you and your place on my Path that
allowed me to know myself more fully.
Love, Akira (Blount)
Arlyne, Always encouraging,
always giving, always gracious…I will always remember the “discussions” she
would have with Barbara. I shall miss her.
~Robert Tonner
Dear Arlyne, you were greatly appreciated and enjoyed
by all who met you at NIADA. Your collection of Artist
Dolls was wonderful to see. Thank you for being such
a fine Patron. Especially to the new NIADA artists
and to NIADA for all these many years
Gratefully, Diana Lence Crosby
New Life New Power! Go Girl!! We miss you Arlyne!!
~Elizabeth Brandon 2009
Arlyne will live in our hearts
as a champion of our craft. Let’s all do
her proud!
~Stephanie Blythe
Dear Arlyne, One out of the
many memories…at
the Shakespeare Theatre and Restaurant in Stratford-Upon-Avon
in England, 1993, before we saw “The Storm”.
I’m so grateful having met you (last in Switzerland
in 2008.) Thank you for everything. I will miss you.
Love, Elisabeth Flueler-Tomamichel
When we grow old, and fall in
love with the dolls whost house we share, along
come many memories of collectors whose passion
we share. With all the caring, and pairing and
sharing comes the friendship never ending. It is
with these words to you, Arlyne, I am my love extending…
In memoriam, Faith Wick 2009
To Arlyne, You meant a lot to
us! I will always remember you—
Love, Nancy (Wiley)
My fondest memories of Arlyne
are from our travels in Japan, where Junko led
a bunch of doll people like baby chicks from one
marvelous adventure to the next. One day we took
a ride on small boats down a river, and Arlyne’s
knees would not permit her to sit down inside the
boat, so a chair was provided, and she sat regally
atop the chair atop the boat, above all, and floated
downstream like a queen on a barge. Arlyne was
a force to be reckoned with. She was out-going,
funny, energetic but laid-back, and a devoted friend,
generous with her love and support. She was larger
than life.
~Shelley (Thornton)
Words cannot express how much
I loved and enjoyed being with you, Arlyne. Thank
you for all your support, ecouragement and friendship.
I will always remember on Christmas day…you came in to our house
with a big smile, and with a huge bag on you back
saying, “Ho, ho, ho!” We all, including
the children and grandchildren, loved you.
We miss you, Junko (Liesfeld)
Arlyne: In 1996, when I was
a lowly visiting artist, I had to miss my flight
to NIADA due to a family emergency. A day later,
when things had stabilized, my family encouraged
me to go, but since mine had been an air miles
flight, I no longer had a way to get there! I made
a tearful call to cancel my conference reservation
to Arlyne, the conference chair that year, but
she told me to call the airline & not
to take “No” for and answer. “Just
be your sweet self, tell them you’ll sit on
the wing, if necessary, & if they can’t
help, ask to speak to a superior,” she said.
I went all the way to the top, got my flight, & no
one was happier to see me than Arlyne was!
~Heather Maciak
We were very nervous when attending our first NIADA
Conference in 1994. It was Arlyne who first greeted
us and made us feel so welcomed. She has always been
a wonderfully supportive patron and will be sorely
missed.
~Chris (Chomick) & Peter (Meder)
Arlyne…NIADA ANGEL
Thank you!
~Annie Wahl
My stories about Arlyne are
too long—and politically
incorrect. But I’ll never forget her first –and
last- simulator ride at Universal Studios. I warned
her but a friend said, “Come on, Arlyne, it’s
fun!” Afterwards, as a little color returned
to her face, she said, “I’ll never go
on one of those ‘simulator” rides again
as long as I live!” But she was a game lady
and would give anything a try. Fun is what I first
think of about Arlyne. She was a warm, kind, caring
person, but she had a wicked sense of humor and was
always ready for a good time. And a good time is
what I had around Arlyne.
Smiling, Nancy Walter
Bon Voyage Arlyne, take your place among the angels.
Love Helen (Kish)
NIADA Patrons
Dear Arlyne, together we have spent unforgettable
time in Switzerland and around Europe. I miss you.
Sending you lots of greetings.
With love, Alice Schelbert Switzerland
For years I knew Arlyne as a friendly and jolly
companion. She was the Best Friend Forever of the
late Barbara L. Steiker, a long time NYC patron.
Barbara always kept me up-to-date about the activities
of Arlyne.
Sincerely, Leona Peterson
Dearest Arlyne, I will miss
your big smile, great laugh and that glint in your
eye! You’re the
only one who ever called me “Chrissy”—a
name I would never have answered to from any one
else!
~Krystyna Poray Goddu
My memories of Arlyne are tied to my memories of
Barbara Steiker. They were like a matched set of
knowledge, enthusiasm and love of the art doll. They
greeted me, made me feel welcome and started me on
my path to collecting.
~Diana Rew
Arlyne brought sunshine and
smiles wherever she went…like the flowers in springtime. Arlyne
was special to my mom…Arlyne was special to
me…Arlyne was special to my daughters. And
she made everyone around her feel special too.
~Jeanie Steiker Corn
Farewell Alyne, tireless doll aficionado and devoted
friend to Artists and Patrons!
Love, Sara (Chason)
My respect for Arlyne lies here …with
this collection of attributions and affections.
As well as I came to know her over the years, I
still wish we had had more time. I must remember
her generosity and pay that forward.
With love, Juanita Zientara
There is a hole in my heart… Arlyne was like
a second mother to me. A warm and always supportive
friend. I’ll miss her insistent and distinctive
messages in that voice. “Laurel? It’s
Arlyne!”
~Laurel Breitkopf
Dollology Club of Washington DC Members
Bon Voyage, Arlyne, on your greatest journey of
all. We will miss you.
With love, Jane Thompson
Arlyne, You’ll be missed
and thought of often. Our switchboard operator
at the White House and a long, long time friend
and club member of Dollology of Washington, DC
Love, Rosa Cullen
I spent several delightful hours
with Arlyne some years ago. Accompanied by Jennifer
Kohn Murtha we were invited to Arlyne’s apartment to view
some newly acquired doll artist creations. With patient
response to my questions she peeled back layers of
mystery about the artists and their dolls. Thanks
to Arlyne’s passion I now appreciate this special
genre’ of doll collecting.
~Bernice Millman Dollology Club of DC
An evening with good food, friends,
and conversation! That’s our Arlyne. Always
great memories and treasures. A friend!
~Dolly Berg
Memories of Happy Travels with
Arlyne…
Her Chauffer, Ann Coleman
Butterflies, like some people
leave traces of color that lighten our lives…Arlyne
did…
~Bettyanne Twigg
You will be truly missed!
~Ruth Gaborko President, Dollology Club of Washington
DC
My fondest memories of Arlyne
focus on her New York wit. While sharing a cab with Arlyne one February
on a cold and blustery day in New York, Arlyne admonished
the cabbie, who was driving aggressively. Her
exact words: "Hey, you! DON'T PLAY CHICKEN
ON MY NICKEL!" I especially enjoyed the
Arlyne Garten/ Barbara Steiker show. I miss
her.
~Marj Chirikjian
I have no idea of her age because, unlike most of
us, she really knew how to put on make-up and dress
gorgeously and come out looking so fine. A sad loss
to many I'm sure.
~Terry Danner
My last best time with the elegant
Arlyne was in the company of Heather Maciak and
Dolly Berg sitting down to a wonderful meal cooked
by Don in the warm and gracious home of the Zientara’s. All went
well until we took the shortest way home through
Washington, D.C. Panic set in when our route was
closed. We didn’t need to worry…we had “Mighty
Arlyne” who knew DC like the back of her hand.
With much laughter on our part, she took us through
the tangle of the city she knew so well. Arlyne was
a first class lady and is greatly missed.
~Margie Stoker
Friends
The world is emptier without her! Friend, inspiration,
world traveler, collector, beauty queen and caregiver.
With love and fond memories, Neil (Zukerman) and
Tom
In the great scheme of things, our community of
doll makers and patrons is quite small and when we
lose someone - particularly one as vibrant and devoted
as Arlyne - it feels like a family member has left
us.
Sincerely, R. John and Susan Wright
She was quite a character...always
quick-witted with a real love for gossip...in a
very funny way...never malicious. I loved talking
to her...learning about those artist she felt to
be truly talented...and,
those she didn't! Arlyne and I shared
a love for the wonderful fabrics, innovative designs
and extraordinary concepts that brought dollmaking
to a new level ..but still reflected the history
and traditions of the past. Arlyne was a warm,
generous genuine friend to all …we will miss
her dearly.
~Barrie and Danny Shapiro The Toy Shoppe
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