Anna Van Duyn

On October 17th, 2025, Adé Van Duyn passed away surrounded by her children-Keven, Caroly, Maren, Nielsen and close friend, Katherine Paulhus. Her optimism, humor and compassion touched all whom knew and worked with her, inspiring many to expand their horizons, develop their inner expressive potential- and find beauty and magnificence along the journey of life.
Born in Essen, Germany in 1927, "Dee" graduated from the Royal Academy of Art in the Hague, Holland in 1952. As an artist in the vibrant post WWII art scene in the Hague, Ade's early drawings, paintings and sculptures conveyed the impact of war around her as a young witness. She expressed great yearning for the return of light and the resurrection of life. Adé sailed across the Atlantic in 1952 to join Gerard, her future husband and creative soulmate, in Ontario, Canada. Both were instrumental in early TV as designers and an artists. They created screen titles, illustrations, storyboards, and sets. Burbank California became their next destination; Gerard worked as an art director, as Adé pursued her own artwork. In 1962 The Van Duyn's settled in Westport, Connecticut, establishing Gerard Van Duyn & Associates-on Hillspoint Rd. Adé collaborated with progressive educator Rose Park as a children's art teacher. She also created a summertime art space welcoming all neighborhood children to work under a large tent next to the house, experimenting in many different art materials. Her teaching passion led to a career as a Recreation Director in Norwalk, Stamford, then at Mediplex of Westport. Ade became known for dynamic programming that surpassed traditional arts&crafts activities, including presentations of her stunning audio-visual slide shows. Alert to the isolation of elderly people, Adé invited Families and friends to join in for festive holiday events- surrounded by displays that included masks, costumes, and props.
Adé was proficient in tennis, sailing, canoeing, hiking and camping-regardless of the weather. Adept at problem solving, she was undaunted by any challenge, even hurricanes. Adé reveled in nature's magnificence and often visited her favorite point at the beach to gaze upon the ocean. As a plein air painter, wildflowers, trees, houses, barns and the ever-changing sea inspired Adé. Her artwork was exhibited in many venues including art centers, galleries, and the Westport Senior Center. Adé was also a member of the Black Rock Art Guild
(BRAG). Two significant series of paintings, referred to as "Collateral Damage" portrayed displaced war refugees. Another series depicted antique Saugatuck homes-survivors of the Italian neighborhood in Westport after eminent domain seized and displaced many dwellings for the new thruway. Adé illustrated the children's book; "The Yellow Coat" by Christina Montano-featuring watercolors of Adé's Hillspoint Rd home and her son Nielsen. As a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Westport, Adé was a choir member and also knitted shawls for the Shawl Ministry.
Adé's passion for light and color fused together into mosaic compositions, vibrant stained glass lamps, windows and medallions, and culminated into her final works; two magnificent large scale architectural stained-glass windows. These artworks exude an atmospheric pool of warmth, changing color, and an ever present luminescence in the spaces they occupy-symbolic of her eternal loving presence in our lives.