Arlene Davidson Holzman

Arlene Frances Davidson Holzman was born on August 13, 1932, in Islip, New York, the second daughter of Dora Bean and Samuel Davidson. She was raised in Central Islip in the 1930s and 40s and held many fond and colorful memories of small-time Long Island, living in the impressionable presence of Central Islip State Hospital. She "grew up" in the family business, The Bluebird, a combination, corner store, restaurant, and neighborhood bar.

To say that Arlene cleared that bar would be an understatement. After graduating from Central Islip High School, she attended Buffalo State and Cornell University. She married the love of her life in December 1957, her late husband, "Himself," Gerry Holzman. The dynamic pair cut their teeth in public schools on Long Island, where Arlene taught Home Economics - the favorite teacher of so many students who'd previously never had one.

Over the years, she collected more friends than all of those lucky souls combined might count on their fingers and toes. Her Rolodex of relationships was so varied and vast that she earned the nickname "Kitchen Table Lady" for the parade of people who came to her home for sage and sympathetic counsel. She was an exceptional and loving, wife, friend, mother, and grandmother and a second mother and grandmother to many. She was always just a phone call away.

Until the day she died, she never stopped living a full life, learning new things, and making new friends. She loved to read, cook, sew, make pottery and prepare favorite food for those she loved. When Gerry took to woodcarving and began building The Empire State Carousel, Arlene became Gerry's partner and the ambitious project's most ardent volunteer. Gerry's work as a carver allowed the couple to travel the world, and Arlene's Gypsy roots spread out in full. She circled and stepped on six of the seven continents in her ninety-one years.

Still, she was a New Yorker at heart who loved the beach and the Great South Bay. Until her later years, she lived in Islip, Cambridge, and Middleburgh before her passing in Brunswick, Maine, on April 30, 2024. She will be missed for her keen wit and wisdom, her generous nature, commitment to helping others and Tikkun olam (repairing the world), her unfailing energy and her apple pie.

Arlene was predeceased by Gerry Holzman (December 2023). She is survived by her beloved daughters, Nancy Holzman (Jim Stegman), Jill Irving (Jeff Irving), and Susan Gatti (Mark Gatti) Her treasured (meshugenah) grandchildren, Liam and Devan Stegman, Greg and Jonathan Gatti, and Joshua and Julie Irving. Her older sister, Claire Siegel, and brother-in law, Larry Holzman (Dottie Eckhardt), sister-in-law Margaret Holzman (spouse of Steven Holzman), and loving nieces and nephews.

Donations in Arlene's memory can be made to World Central Kitchen:

https://donate.wck.org/give/499865/#!/donation/checkout

Maine Council On Aging:


https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6SQ76PXS4V9CW!