ALICE KUHNS

1932 - 2024

KUHNS--Alice Fenton. Alice Fenton Kuhns passed away peacefully in her sleep on the early morning of April 11, 2024, at her home in Los Angeles, CA. She was 91 years old. Born on August 3, 1932, in Yonkers, NY to Katharine Douglas Fenton and Martin Fenton, Alice led a remarkable life filled with passion and creativity. She received her education at Chatham Hall and graduated from Vassar College in 1953. In 1956, she married William C. Kuhns in New York before embarking on a journey to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and eventually settling in Los Angeles in the 1960s. Among her many achievements, Alice was a trailblazer in the arts community. In the 1960s, she founded the Slide Library and Docent program at LACMA, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Los Angeles. She was also very active in supporting the arts, having served on the board of the Mark Taper Forum alongside Judy and Gordon Davidson, and was part of the Opera Associates group in the early 1960s that helped bring Opera to the LA theater scene. She was also active in volunteer activities. Besides being a Docent at LACMA, she also volunteered at the California Arts and Sciences Center by USC. And later in life joined the Nine O'clock Players, a charity group under the Assistance League of Los Angeles, that puts on live theater performances for the benefit of school children particularly low income and special needs students who might not otherwise be exposed to theater. She was also dedicated to her alma mater Vassar College where she served many years as the president of the Vassar Alumni Association. It was in Los Angeles where she met her lifelong friend and musical playwriting partner, Jane McNealy. Collaborating with Jane McNealy, Alice co-wrote ten musicals that were produced across the United States and in England. Her talent and dedication were recognized with prestigious awards, including the Stanley Drama Award for the musical "Hotel Romeo and Juliet," staged in New York in 1988, and a grant from ANTA in 1982 for the musical "Primrose Hill," which first premiered in Portland, Oregon, in 1980. Other personal passions include tennis, rowing, golf, hiking, and especially singing by the piano player (or at the Saturday Picnics) at her beloved family home in the Adirondacks. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Alice was known for her vibrant personality and zest for life. A true bon vivant, she possessed a sharp intellect and a quick wit, delighting friends and family with her recitations of Shakespeare and lively musical performances on the banjo and accordion. Her love for music extended to hosting legendary Christmas parties where she, with Jane playing the piano, would entertain guests with festive lyrics and melodies. Alice's legacy lives on through her children: Rodney Kuhns (married to Ann Farber), Anthony Kuhns, Victoria Kuhns Vickers (married to Tom Vickers), Matthew Kuhns (married to Margaret Crimmins), and Diana Kuhns Knox. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Additionally, Alice is survived by her siblings: Martin Fenton Jr, Wendell Fenton, Edith Fenton Tuckerman, and Prudence Fenton. Alice Fenton Kuhns will be remembered for her keen intellect, her creative spirit, unwavering passion for the arts, and her ability to bring joy and laughter to all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and artistic excellence that will continue to inspire generations to come.