Muriel Spiro Butkin

Muriel Butkin was a philanthropist. Her good works, large and small, had the power to change the lives of those around her. In the late 1980s she instituted the Butkin Fellowship for the Art History Department at Case Western Reserve University. For close to two decades her generosity made it possible for graduates students to travel and do necessary research. As the first of many to receive the fellowship, I have always considered Muriel as a patron extraordinaire. She was thoughtful in so...

Muriel Butkin was a long standing friend, compassionate collector and supporter of scholarly publications focusing on issues in nineteenth century art from the early 1970s until her death. She fully understood the value of "ideas" and was quick to recognize that works of art had to be subtly, pointedly and deeply interpreted along historical and contextual lines. More than this, Muriel was a close friend to my wife Yvonne and myself as we often talked on the phone about issues from earlier...

Muriel Butkin was a gracious benefactor to The Cleveland Museum of Art, and to our program in art history at Case Western Reserve University. She donated numerous paintings to the art museum as well as her collection of French Master drawings. She was a strong supporter of the museum's conservation laboratory. Muriel funded art history conferences and symposia, and subvented scholarly books. She funded Butkin Fellowships for travel and research for CWRU's art history students. Almost twenty...

Mrs. Butkin will always be a special person in my life. Since she has passed, I find myself reflecting on her memory and realizing different ways in which she influenced choices I have made. She shared so much of herself with me and I always will cherish our visits. She was opinionated and honest always. I will remember her both as I knew her and as her memories shared with me, for instance, her sitting cross-legged on the floor of Shepherd Gallery sorting through solander boxes searching...

Muriel was my aunt, married to my father's brother, Noah Butkin. Regretfully, I had not seen her in many years, but I like to think my children got her love for art and sense of community, and in that small way, carry on her and Noah's legacy. I wish I knew more about her life, her hopes, dreams, joys, fears. May she rest in peace and be of blessed memory to her dear friends.

Muriel was a quiet but active person, well known in the arts. We will miss both Noah and Muriel, but the paintings we have because of them will be constant reminders. Does anyone know if there will be a memorial service?