NEENA BIRCH Obituary

NEENA BIRCH (Age 69)
Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died on August 13, 2012, after a prolonged battle with cancer. Her paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures reside in museums, galleries, and collections throughout the world. She began her art career in Alaska, with thematic prints of Native Alaskan life, and then evolved into a naturalist, centering her attention on natural beauty, its decay, and resurrection. Neena was a member of Studio 155, and formerly of P.A.I.N.T. and the Washington Printmakers Gallery. Her works are on display at the Jane Haslem Collection and the Adah Rose Gallery, as well as the Achnorage Fine Arts Museum, the George Washington University Gallery, the Corcoran Museum and the Delaware Art Museum. She defined herself first as a wife, mother, and grandmother. She had a relentless thirst for knowledge, achieving a graduate degree, and loved being both a student and a teacher. Her legions of friends and fellow artists sought her counsel and delighted in her warmth and kindness. Her many acts of one-to-one charity exemplified her inner strength and compassion. Neena regarded life as "wonderful," and through her life and works shared that wonder with all who came into her orbit. Neena and her husband, Ronnie, married and moved to Alaska in 1965. Their marriage of 47 years produced her beloved children, Sonnie (married to Lawrence Hamer) and Matt (married to Jan Ellen Birch). Her marriage, motherhood, and grandmotherhood were the focal points of her life. Her six grandchildren, Lily (13), Olivia (12), Benjamin (10), Caden (9), Ryan (6), and Macy (4) were the laboratory to continue her fostering, teaching, and love. She is also survived by her brother (Paul Zinn), niece (Lauren Zinn), and nephews (Jeremy Zinn and Jason Ehrenberg). Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at Washington Hebrew Congregation, Washington, DC. Interment Garden of Remembrance Memorial Park, Clarksburg, MD. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to VisArts at Rockville, a non-profit arts center (www.visartsatrockville.org/get-involved), or to the C & O Canal Trust, a restoration fund dedicated to protecting the canal that Neena adored (www.canaltrust.org/trust).

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Published by The Washington Post on Aug. 15, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for NEENA BIRCH

13 Entries

Scip Barnhart

September 14, 2012

Quite a shock for me to hear of Neena's passing. She was a wonderful person, a special superbly gifted student and fantastic artist. I have shown her work to my students for years as examples how it was supposed to be done. I will continue to do so but this semester with a heavy heart. deepest sympathies to Ron and the family. Scip

Anne Williams

August 16, 2012

Ron, Sonnie, Matt and family,

Neena was a wonderful woman and it was always such a pleasure to see how happy she was and how much she loved life and her family and the way her face would light up at the mention of all of you. She was loved and she returned that love many times over. I feel blessed to have known her. My deepest condolences and love to you all.

Denisha

August 16, 2012

May the God of tender mercies give comfort and peace during this difficult time.(2 Corinth.1:2-3)

Judi & Jeff Norton

August 16, 2012

Our deepest sympathies are with you today and always. I will always miss my beloved cousin and sister. She will always be with me as she will surely be with you and you will know in ways that will surprise you. We heard the magnificent service today and I will always remember to "look". You are an amazing family and the memories will only bring you closer together. How she adored you all. Love,

Robert Price

August 16, 2012

Ron, Sonnie and Family, and Matt and Family,

My deepest condolences on the loss of Neena. She was an extremely gracious person and will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

Shelley (Rochelle Smilowitz) Stone

August 15, 2012

My sincere condolences to your family on your loss. Neena and I were childhood friends and I will always remember how beautiful, sweet and talented she was. Rest in peace, Neena.

Sondra Dexter

August 15, 2012

Neena's watercolors were always my favorites. Her legacy continues through her art which remains as a reminder of the gifted woman she was. Please know that she is remembered by many.

Bob Miller

August 15, 2012

My sympathy to Ron and his family on the loss of Neena. She was a beautiful, charming, and gracious lady, and an immensely talented artist. Learning of her passing today made the world seem a dimmer and darker place.

Julian Tepper

August 15, 2012

Dear Ron, Sonnie and Matt,

So loving, beautiful and vivacious is how I will always remember Neena, your wife and mom.

I know that each of you must have so many images of her bright eyes and wide smile, and so many lovely memories of your special times with her.

I hope that your grief and loss will dissolve peacefully, and that you will emerge with vivid memories and stories that you can share with each other and with your grandchildren and children, the sum of which is that Neena will live on, gloriously, as she should.

With love,

Julian

Barb Andrews-MEE

August 15, 2012

Dearest Ron and family. I read with sadness the loss of your wonderful wife and mom. I know you have great memories and hope they will help you through these difficult times. Much love

L. T.

August 15, 2012

I wish to express my condolences to the family. Words seem insufficient at this difficult time. Although nobody denies the certainty of death, we all need comfort in the reality of it. May you find real comfort and relief, and as a result, begin to recover gradually from the pain. Love from those around you will help you through the days ahead. The precious memories of your loved one will bring you comfort.

August 15, 2012

im sorry for your loss may you find peace and comfort and draw closer to god and he will draw closer to you(james 4:8)