ARLENE BRONSTEIN Obituary

BRONSTEIN--Arlene Edith,

born February 27, 1949, died suddenly on September 18, 2017, after living well and fully with lung cancer for over thirteen years. Beloved daughter of Arthur and Lottie Bronstein; beloved sister of Patricia Bronstein and sister-in-law of Curt Goering; loving friend to many. Fearless, funny, discerning, kind, compassionate and generous. Honored by the Astraea Foundation; first female buddy for Gay Men's Health Crisis during the AIDS epidemic; tireless worker for Joan's Legacy; longtime volunteer at The Jewish Daily Forward. Professionally she was Records Manager for Davis Polk and Wardwell for over twenty years; former president and active member of the Association of Records Managers and Administrators. Patron of the arts and world traveler. She lived her life en pointe. Memorial at a later date. Contributions to the Margot Karle Scholarship Fund c/o The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, 116 E. 16th Street, #7, New York, NY 10003 or The Center for Victims of Torture, 2356 University Ave., St. Paul, MN 55114.

Published by New York Times on Sep. 21, 2017.
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You are always in my heart, Arlene! I was just talking to you the other day. I still can't bear to go through our emails. You are missed for sure. I know you can hear all of us. Love you, B

Barbara

Friend

September 15, 2022

Arlene You are never, ever forgotten, only very deeply missed
I speak to your picture daily, only wish you were here in the flesh, discussing current events, knowing you would have deep thoughts & opinions about same. You are deeply loved.
Hilla

Hilla Elkind

Friend

September 15, 2022

And happy birthday to you too. I miss you.

Your sister

February 27, 2022

Arlene - Happy Birthday - I talk to you picture daily. I walked the streets of your City daily. I read your NYT daily. There is so much that reminds me of you. Can't avoid it living here. I miss your presence, your voice, your opinions, your sharp wit, oh, to hear your voice once more. Love you dearly.

Hilla P. Elkind

February 27, 2022

9/16/20 -- AB - You are still so very missed. I talk a lot to the picture Joyce took of us. Your City is always a reminder of you, filled with so many memories. I smile a lot thinking of you as I walk the streets of your beloved City. Thank you for that gift. Warm hugs to you, my dear AB
So very fondly
Hilla

Hilla Elkind

Friend

September 16, 2020

Arlene today is your birthday, you are not here. I wished your picture of us( taken by Joyce) A very happy birthday.
Miss your tales of your latest trip/ adventures, miss your Museum adventures, how you would have much to say about the present political environment. Miss your face, miss your spoken words. An empty space in my heart.
You are so missed by all who knew you.
I speak to your picture often

Hilla Elkind

February 27, 2020

AB - I left a message for you yesterday,but, alas, I must have screwed up somehow, as it did not print.
I miss you very much, I talk to our picture that you had Joyce take of us, so glad that you set this up, so typical you!
I went up to Williamson this summer. You are so imprinted in my visit to this cherished area that you introduced to me so many years ago. It has become my respite.
I still cannot believe that you are not physically present in my/ our lives. There are so many things that make me think of you most days, an article in the Times, a movie, walking the streets of your beloved always changing, Manhattan, you are still present in these moments.
You are so very missed, you are so loved.
Thank you for sharing your life with me

Hilla Elkind

September 19, 2019

Arlene,
You are truly missed and remembered. I think of you so often and think what a loss your death has created for those who knew and loved you.

Anita Ross

September 18, 2019

I love you and miss you. I remember your inscription in the 2003 Angel Project book and why we were together. 'To my sister who loves NYC as much as I do.' I miss sharing NYC with you, seeing museums, talking. I miss your caring and your love.

September 18, 2019

Arlene Bronstein we remember your presence, your compassion your sense of a good orderly direction in all things, your finely tuned sensibilities your biting humor your love of family and friends your loyalty your work ethic your love your love your love. You memory is one of the greatest blessings.

chana pollack

September 17, 2019

AB - Today is your Birthday! Happy Birthday!
I still have difficulty knowing you are no longer physically present
I do talk to you every day to the photo that you had yr friend, the Photographer take of us. I am so greatful that you did.
Another time, another place....
So you would have been 70 today
I miss you very much
Hilla

Hilla Elkind

February 27, 2019

Arlene - Today is your Birthday. Usually you would spend the day doing those things that made you the New Yorker that you were.
Going food shopping locally in your neighborhood, especially to the outdoor markets nearby.
Of course, you would go to the gym at the Y on 14th St. Taking the classes that maintained your strength & endurance in spite of your lung cancer, you were very good at modifying your activities while maintaining your optimal health.
Of course you had multiple choices of the Museum you would choose to go to on your birthday, as you were a member of many.
Or you might choose to just walk the streets of your beloved City, with its constantly changing & evolving landscape.
I speak to you daily, while looking at the picture that you had Joyce take of you & me. Or there is always something during my days that remind me of you........I treasure those moments.
You are so very, very missed by myself and your large family of friends of which there are so many.
Arlene you were a very unique person, certainly one of a kind.
I have never met anyone like you, & probably will never again.
But, you will continue to live on in my soul for as long as I do.
Thank you for gracing my life with yours.
Hilla

.

Hilla P. Elkind

February 27, 2018

My condolences to Arlene's family. I was fortunate to meet Arlene through business and will be ever grateful for the knowledge she shared as a pioneer in Record Management. I will always remember the amazing energy she sprinkled across any room! She made a difference.

Linda Lafferty

January 26, 2018

Arlene, although I didn't get a chance to know you very well, from the start, I loved your spirit and courage. Cousin, you'll always have a special place in my heart. My sincere condolences to Pat. Big hugs.

Christina Sansone

October 23, 2017

Thank you to everyone who posted in this Guest Book. I am so touched that Arlene is so well loved. Along with all of you, I miss everything about her. Even when she aggravated me, I knew she would be there for me no matter what. And now she isn't. I miss her.

Patricia Bronstein

October 10, 2017

Our deepest sympathy to Arlene's family and friends. Her passing has left a huge void in all our lives. Two years ago she came out to visit me in Palm Springs and we spent two wonderful days together. When she left she said, now I can cross out Palm Springs as one of the places to see. I was hoping I could convince her she still had things to see in the desert. Now I will just have to savor the memory of our last visit. I will miss you and your down to earth, honest, frank statements, which always seem to be right on!
Ron Quinto & Randy Malwitz
Palm Springs, CA

October 4, 2017

Arlene and I met a long time ago. I was in graduate school and working part time at Milbank; she was running the records department at Davis Polk. We connected, over dance, and remained friends ever after.

In 2002, Eliot Feld was looking for extras for a ballet he was making to Copland's Lincoln Portrait, made in the aftermath of 9/11. Arlene was an enthusiastic volunteer, and I think it tickled her to be on the Joyce stage when she'd spent so many nights in that theater watching.

Last winter, my sister was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer, and Arlene was incredibly helpful with resources and websites. She introduced me to Lungevity, which has been a great support for my sister. And at the end of October, I'm doing a walk-a-thon for Lungevity and, of course, Arlene was one of the first contributors to my campaign. I am both grateful for the support, and shell-shocked at the deep irony that she'll never know how much I raised.

Peace, love and strength to Arlene's family.

Maggie Christ

October 1, 2017

Arlene was so special -- lovely and kind and detail-oriented and full of soul at the same time. I hadn't seen her for many years (since she retired from Davis Polk, which I also did a few years ago), but still can remember her voice and presence . .

Nancy Ludmerer

September 29, 2017

Arlene
You began studying ballet as a young adult and became a paid member of a professional company.
You began work untrained in legal records and became president of the national organization.
You came out as a lesbian when some friends were horrified and deserted us.
You took care of our brothers with AIDS when most were fearful or paralyzed with fear.
You got diagnosed with cancer and learned all there was to know (up until the days before you died) and you assembled an extraordinary team to facilitate your care and you beat all odds for survival and you found time to volunteer for others with lung cancer.
Your loyalty was profound extending 36 after the death of our Margot, and keeping her memory alive with a charity in her name.
You were loving, attentive and caring to your biological family of birth and your constructed family of friends.
Your opinions were firm and fact based but your intelligence so supple that you changed them when you learned new facts, opinions and context.
Your style was unfailingly alive with color, texture and design.
Your appreciation for visual art, dance and theatre was extensive and particular.
You offered your urban New York sensibility to all and passed it on to the next generation of my children, Megan and Rupa.
I am not gifted enough to articular what your loss means.
I cannot really believe that you are gone.

Barbara Herbert

September 28, 2017

Thank you for gracing us with your love of order, deep cultural knowledge, curiosity and humor as you helped organize our photo collection every Monday and Thursday at the Forward/Forverts. And my personal gratitude for sharing your New York with me and for your compassion, your humor, your wit, your brilliance. I will miss all of that and more along with our deep compare and contrast sessions of various BBC and PBS offerings, not least of which was the Great British Bake Off. Your presence enriched my life. zikhrone l'vrokhe/your memory, as was your life, is such a blessing and you are deeply missed.

chana pollack

September 26, 2017

A wonderful human being

Fern Wallach

September 25, 2017

Such terrible news. Arlene, you always appreciated life in a way that is a lesson for the rest of us. I enjoyed our lunches so much and will miss you. My thoughts and prayers are with your sister Patricia and family.

Lindsay Cohen

September 25, 2017

Such an unexpected, wonderful, challenging, and always surprising addition to my life! Arlene made me understand and love her NYC - and my Barb- even more than I had ever imagined. I so appreciated her intellect, independence, generosity and style. She was unique in my world and I miss her.

jean mcguire

September 25, 2017

My sincerest condolences on the passing of a wonderful person. She was a respected colleague and beautiful person and will be missed.

Diane Ibarra

September 25, 2017

Arlene, my brave, courageous and brilliant friend since kindergarten; you lived your life the way you wanted til the very last. I am so grateful that your fighting spirit earned you 13 years more of life which you lived to the fullest. You will be missed.

Anita Ross

September 25, 2017

September 24, 2017

Our extraordinary and fearless friend who brought infinite joy, light, laughter and love into our lives.

Martha, Gary and Max

September 23, 2017

To my spirited friend, I discovered so many new things with you. You touched my heart in so many ways. I think one of my most special memories will be visiting the Penguins in San Diego, a dream come true for both of us. You will remain in my heart forever. My thoughts and prayers to you Patricia and your family.

Barbara Embick

September 23, 2017

I was privileged to reconnect with Arlene last year in Santa Monica. We had a lovely lunch talking about our past elementary school years and our present years. . Such an interesting woman. Truly a loss, Betty Ettman Wall

Betty Ettman Wall

September 22, 2017

So glad I was able to see Arlene when I was in NYC in April. May she transcend to a kind and equitable place. XXOO Always.

Judy Kowalski

September 22, 2017

Arlene was perhaps the most uniquely independent person I've known, fully in command of her direction in life. A true lover of the arts, especially dance and photography, she put herself in the path of beauty wherever she went. She cared deeply about others and was eager to know what was going on with them. She had instincts for seeking out justice and fairness. I admired her greatly and will miss her very much. She is gone too soon.

Patty Grossman

September 22, 2017

Dearest Arlene - From the moment I met you, I knew you were one of a kind. You were smart, embracing life to all of its edges. You were honest what you said is what you felt, no ambiguity here. You had so many interests and embraced them all with deep inquisitiveness. I am truly so fortunate to have your life grace mine. You will forever live in my heart. My deepest condolences to your family.

Hilla P. Elkind

September 22, 2017

Arlene, You were my photography friend and I so loved talking with you on our jaunts to exhibitions in NYC. You always had such insightful opinions and we shared so much. I admired how strong and matter of fact you were. Very clear and you did not mince words. I will miss you my dear friend.

Joyce Culver

September 21, 2017

So,sorry to hear of the loss of Arlene . May the comfort that God gives be with you during your bereavement
Jackie.

September 21, 2017

Miss you so much.

Ted Wittling

September 21, 2017

To Arlene, the bravest woman I have ever known. Always a faithful friend, a seeker of justice and lover of beauty. You will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to her sister, Pat, and her many friends. May you take comfort in knowing Arlene made a difference in this world and she was deeply and truly loved.

Gail Dedrick

September 21, 2017

Dear Arlene, you will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to the family, you are in my thoughts. Sending love and strength from across the miles.

Karin Braverman

September 21, 2017

I will cherish all our times together that we had in California and last June in New York and always in my heart.

elayne

September 21, 2017

A friendship of thirty years with Arlene was not long enough. Her fierce love of life, of all of its possibilities, was a joy to be around. Her honesty about all things; her compassion and generosity; the rich cultural life, which she shared with such excitement; her commitment to justice, to community, and to friends; her intelligence, wit and humor - all are missed but will never be gone. My deep condolences to her family.

Helene Kendler

September 21, 2017

Dearest Arlene, in the aftermath of your passing, Paris, London and New York will never quite seem the same again. You will never be forgotten and I will forever treasure wonderful memories of our friendship.

Vivienne Guiden

September 21, 2017

The truest friend, a courageous battler, the light of so many lives. Arlene, we will miss you forever and a day.

Nina Wood

September 21, 2017

Our family loved Arlene so very much and although we are so saddened that we will not be able to continue to share so many special moments with her, I feel blessed that we were fortunate to have spent so many countless hours with someone so loving, caring and passionate.

We all love you Arlene.

Robert

September 21, 2017

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