I met Arlene 35 years ago at Ivan Watters’s house on the north side of Chicago, where he was teaching Bonsai. We were starting out in Bonsai and took classes with Ivan Jim and Kay Erlenborn for several years. Arlene was also an early member of the Morton Arboretum Bonsai Society, which later became the Prairie State Bonsai Society. She was an active club member and served on the board for many years. She was best known for creating beautiful bonsai forests. After retiring, she assisted Ivan Watters, overseeing the care of the permanent bonsai collection at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Despite quietly battling cancer for many years, she was always cheerful and fun to be around. Arlene was in her 80s and was planning to downsize her extensive Bonsai collection this spring, but unfortunately, her cancer returned this winter, and she passed away on Feb. 24. Her 3 children and 6 grandchildren survived her. A memorial gathering is scheduled for April 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Alter Brewing in Downers Grove.
Arlene’s tools, pots, and other items will be sold during a sale at Phil Malhiot’s on April 19 and 20 in Broadview. Proceeds from the sale will go to the Prairie State Bonsai Society. Several of her trees were donated to the Chicago Botanic Garden collection last fall before she fell ill. However, many of her trees died during her illness, although a few are being nursed back to health.
Donations in Arlene’s honor may be made to the Prairie State Bonsai Society, The Chicago Botanic Garden, or the Morton Arboretum.
Phil Malhiot
