Editor’s Note:
Penny Vane, a vibrant member of our community, died in late December, at the age of 61, after a short but vigorous battle with brain cancer. For those of us who knew her, finding words to describe Penny, her life and impact on each of us, our community and the world, is no small feat. In this article, we provide a glimpse into this amazing woman through the words of one of Penny’s protégés, her friends and co-workers at the New Castle Arts Center and her longtime friends and colleagues from 25 years as a business professional in the world of direct marketing.
New Castle Arts Center Community:
Jennifer Hutchens
June 22nd, 2014 was the day of the Horace Greeley High School Prom. I spent my day as most girls did–worrying about my nails, hair, and makeup. But that day, I also said goodbye to one of the most influential people in my life. And I had no idea at the time that I had.
To give a little history: in Fall 2004, my mom signed me up for an elementary school ceramics class at the New Castle Art Center. The teacher was a woman named Penny Vane. I loved Penny from the beginning, and over the years, Penny went from teacher to mentor to co-worker and friend. In my sophomore year of high school, I joined Penny as her assistant teacher in the middle school ceramics class I had once been a part of.
Penny was a genuinely wonderful human being. The world can often be a cold and harsh place, but Penny was a bright spot in everyones’ lives. She was quick to crack a joke, but always had kind words for everyone. She gave incredibly warm hugs, and was one of the most genuinely loving people I’ve ever met. She was wildly opinionated, had eclectic taste in music, and was an incredibly gifted potter. For ten years, she put smiles on my face.
When my mom called me in late September of 2014, after I had left for college, and told me that doctors had found a growth on Penny’s brain, I’ll admit I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t sad. If there were anybody in the world that could beat it, it would be Penny. She would beat it with the same attitude with which she approached everything in life, with a smile on her face and a song in her heart. And so, with these thoughts, I didn’t worry.
December 27th, 2014, my mom called and told me that Penny had lost her fight. I didn’t know what to think. This was the kind of thing that other people experienced. This wasn’t something that happened to Penny. She was too strong to lose the battle. And yet, she had.
It sounds cheesy, but Penny is the type of person who wouldn’t want people to mourn her death. She would want people to remember the love she spread in life. And while Penny’s absence has left a hole that can never be filled, I, and everyone who knew her, am truly lucky to have had the time I did with her. Rest in peace, my good friend.
Andrea Samuelson
Penny Vane first entered the world of the New Castle Art Center in 1998 when she and her father enrolled in my Friday Adult Ceramics class. She was running her own advertising business, but set aside Fridays to spend with her father, which made a great impression on me. Her enthusiasm and talent were immediately evident. Then in 2004, she started teaching clay classes at the Art Center. Over the next 10 years of teaching she built up a following of loyal students, especially those in middle school ceramics. She was kind, thoughtful, patient and never judgmental and she was an inspiring teacher.
The members of the Friday class and the Art Center teachers became a special community. Penny soon encouraged us to look beyond this small group. She planted the seeds to direct some of our time and skills for the benefit of a larger community. First, we sold our pottery at the annual Strawberry Festival and have done so for the last eight years, donating all proceeds to Hope’s Door (previously known as the Women’s Shelter).
Then she challenged us to have our own Empty Bowls event. Empty Bowls is a nationwide potter’s movement to raise awareness of hunger in local communities. Over two years we, the members of the Art Center adult classes and teachers, made over 700 soup bowls and sold them at two soup dinner events. Local restaurants donated the soup. We raised over $20,000 and donated all proceeds to the Mt. Kisco and Pleasantville Food pantries.
This is the spirit of Penny. She was our most cherished friend and colleague at the Art Center. She was a great role model for me and for all of us, just by being herself.
Nicole Aron, Ruth Parnes, Judy Flicker, Ellen Rhoda, Ellen Smithberg, Carol Madole, Andrea Samuelson
We are a community of women brought and bound together in no small part by Penny Vane. Most of us met at the Art Center in Chappaqua. Initially our interactions were limited to a class on Friday mornings. But, as children grew and workloads shifted, our activities evolved into evenings at homes and restaurants, as well as the occasional day trip, perhaps nominally connected to art but more importantly tied to a good meal. Together we eat, drink, celebrate, talk endlessly and some of us, like Penny, do wonderful things with clay. Others just chat and occasionally play with some clay. Penny saw the best, the talent in each of us. We are grateful for the privilege of her friendship.
Randi Brosterman
How do I describe Penny? Creative, loving, giving, generous, thoughtful, fun, down to earth, truest friend. Mentor and second mother to my daughter. Dear friend to me. Her equanimity in the pottery studio enabled my maximum creativity. I will forever embrace and carry forward the warmth, inspiration, encouragement, positive energy and beauty of Penny Vane.
Penny’s Longtime Colleagues:
Jon Fabian
It didn’t take long to see that Penny was no ordinary boss. She encouraged and inspired everyone to try new directions, follow their intuition, and never be afraid of failure. The network she built, the “Friends” of Vane & Friends, continues to be a source of friendship and expertise.
Deborah Keller
Penny and I met 40 years ago when she married my brother. When they split we told everyone they only married so we could become sisters. Over the years we have shared a deep friendship, respect, love, tears, and a whole heck of a lot of fun. We lived in different towns so we had two-hour phone conversations. We were each others’ dates at important events neither of us wanted the other to miss. We traded clothes back and forth via the US Postal Service. And we danced. Sisters forever.
Cara Tobin
Penny Vane changed peoples’ lives, certainly mine. Her inspiration was powerful because she was so genuine and full of love. She built bridges between people and had faith in unlimited possibilities. Penny’s words, whether written or spoken always uplifted! She was my best friend. We delighted in each other.
Maddy Stoller
Penny ran a successful ad agency on more than just brains and creativity. Penny had heart. She actually hired me when my dad was dying. I wasn’t even sure I could handle a new job. But she saw in me what I didn’t see in myself. That was Penny Vane.
Tamara Draut
Penny brought out the best in people. She seemed able to squeeze extra hours out of the days, making quality time available for anyone–her staff, her children, her husband, her friends. She lived life so fully, with the kind of fun and energy far too many adults leave behind in the grown-up world. Penny gave me my first job out of college, shaping my formative years in such a profound way. She was my role model–as a writer, as a working mom, as a wife and as a human.
Joel Clark Mason, former Minister, Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Nietsche wrote, “What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.” Penny Vane was a person who acted out of love. She was deeply involved in the life of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin as a Sunday School teacher, Vestry member, and Choir member. Her generosity flowed out into various outreach projects at St. Mary’s like the Pumpkin Patch, the Auction Dinner, Midnight Run, among many, many others. Her self-giving nature enriched not only the parish but reached out into the community as well. Her memorial resides in the many lives she touched.
Penny Vane-Areces, born July 27, 1953, is survived by her loving husband, Manny Areces, son Ian and daughter-in-law Amanda, son Quinn, sister Wendy Vane Harrington, as well as extended family and many very close friends. For more information about Penny, go to the on-line version of this article at: www.insidechappaqua.com. Additional links appear at the end of the article.
