Category: 1980s

Lyn Bolen Warren, pioneering gallerist and brilliant art historian, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 60 on November 21, 2021.

Lyn transformed the cultural landscape of Charlottesville, Virginia, and the larger Mid-Atlantic by creating a vibrant context for the exhibition, promotion and appreciation of high-caliber modern and contemporary art. Her generous, open spirit and impeccable credentials fostered her extraordinary ability to communicate, in the most meaningful ways, her belief in visual art as a vital, beneficial aspect of human experience.

Raised in Galax, Virginia, by Mrs. Carolyn Hill Bolen and Dr. John William Bolen, Lyn graduated from Davidson College summa cum laude (1983) and won a prestigious internship at the Guggenheim Museum. She then entered the graduate program in Art History at the University of Virginia, where she earned an MA and a Ph.D. (1994). The syncretic and original nature of her dissertation research on the role and meaning of dance choreography in modern art led to an appointment at UVA’s Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, an honor extended to only a handful of graduate students university-wide. She also curated a widely-admired show on dance in modern art for UVA’s art museum, securing loans of artworks from elite global institutions. This was followed by her powerful and internationally acclaimed art exhibition “Hindsight Fore-site: Art for the Millennium” (2000), which juxtaposed provocative contemporary works with important historic sites throughout Virginia and included the publication of a major book of essays.

As the Director of Les Yeux du Monde Gallery, which she founded in 1995, Lyn championed both established and emerging artists and curated beautiful and compelling shows that united artists and viewers in an exciting exchange of ideas that reverberated throughout the greater cultural community. Migrating from the walls of her mountaintop home to the bohemian milieu of Starr Hill, to the airy rooms of her Water Street establishment and back again to the iconic structure she built on her property in collaboration with famed architect W. G. Clark, Les Yeux du Monde has been, since its inception, a locus of serious artistic endeavor.

Through her tireless orchestration of openings, talks, a Collectors’ Club, museum tours, artist lunches, multigenre performances and collaborative shows, Lyn shared her passion and intellect with the community around her. Driven by a belief that art could be a conduit for healing, growth and understanding, she benevolently brought art to the places that needed it most: hospitals, schools, non-profits and outdoor spaces that enabled the larger community to be moved and transformed in a way she knew possible through art.

Lyn also co-founded the Lydia Csato Gasman Archives for Picasso and Modernist Studies to preserve and disseminate the work of her esteemed mentor, hosting much-anticipated biannual Picasso shows and galas to further that cause and solidify Charlottesville as an epicenter for the arts. Together with her husband, artist Russ Warren, Lyn gave popular talks on art and business at UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce and served on Davidson College’s Art Acquisition Committee.

Lyn was a rare person possessed of an acute, visionary intelligence and fierce drive, coupled with a hospitable warmth and infectious kindness, which made everything she did seem graceful and effortless. Adored by her family and friends, she remains a cosmic beacon of light and inspiration for all who had the great good fortune to be in her orbit. Lyn is survived by her beloved family: husband, Russ Warren of Charlottesville, Virginia; daughter, Hagan Rushton Tampellini and her husband, John, of Charlottesville, Virginia and New York, New York; son, Ray Rushton of Richmond, Virginia; mother, Carolyn Bolen Warren and her husband, Dr. Bertram Warren, of Galax and Charlottesville, Virginia; stepdaughter, Tasha Warren and her husband, Guy Yehuda, of Okemos, Michigan; stepdaughter, Marie Hegland of Charlotte, North Carolina; brother, Dr. John Bolen and his wife, Alison, of Galax, Virginia; niece, Jacquelyn Bolen and her fiancé, Nick Sutter, of Washington, D.C.; and nephew, John Bolen and his wife, Beverley, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

A celebration of Lyn’s life will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 4 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. The family will receive friends at the church beforehand beginning at 12 p.m.

• Copyright: © Copyright 2021, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, VA

Katherine Dudley Garner (Kitty) was delivered into God’s hands on October 7th, 2021 surrounded by her family after a seven-month battle with cancer.

Kitty was born on October 30, 1963 in Knoxville, Tennessee to Elizabeth Lindsay Wall, and Charles Trawick Dudley, Jr. She graduated from the Webb School in Knoxville in 1981 before matriculating at Davidson College where she graduated with a degree in English. Davidson is also where she met and began her lifelong relationship with her husband, Frederic Howard Garner (Ted). Following Davidson, Kitty attended law school at the University of Virginia and earned her degree in 1989.

Kitty and Ted married in 1988, and moved to New York City in 1990, where Kitty began her career as an associate in the corporate department at Shearman & Sterling. They moved to Charlotte in 1993, where Kitty joined Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman before “retiring” to raise her young family and pursue a number of avocations and passions that propelled her through her extraordinary life.

Kitty had many interests and talents as well as a deep intellectual curiosity that created meaningful relationships and a rich fabric of life— her interests extended from bridge to flying to an obsession with the artistic capabilities of photoshop. There was little that she could not accomplish when she set her mind to it—Kitty, in a word, was indomitable. Kitty took up flying at the age of 50 and often enjoyed flying over Roaring Gap on clear summer days. Kitty also loved the game of Bridge drawn by its never ending challenges and became a competitive and accomplished player. However, she principally enjoyed its social aspects: the places traveled and the many friendships formed through the game.

Another passion was a love for contemporary art and design. Kitty spent much of her available time wandering the streets of New York exploring its rich inventory of museums and galleries. Kitty was immersed in the community of artists in Charlotte, and loved her relationships with the various galleries including Goodyear Arts, the Mint Museum, the McColl Center, and of course, Davidson. Kitty also served on the founding Board of Trustees for the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and pursued a brief career in interior design. To be sure, Kitty will be remembered for her artistic sensibilities and enormous sense of style not only through her design talents but also in her unique approach to fashion. Kitty loved to celebrate friends, family and causes with ornate and fun parties She would always light up a room with her wardrobe, and without a doubt, her coats and shoes. This sense of style contributed to her avant-garde approach to life, always pushing the envelope of ideas and community.

Kitty was an athlete and pursued a variety of activities in which she excelled (including a 3 hour 23 minute time in the New York City Marathon). Kitty loved to play tennis and was also an accomplished and graceful skier. She could tackle almost anything the mountains presented her either in Colorado or Europe. Kitty and Ted with their four children spent most Christmas and winter holidays in Colorado, including stays at the Sonnenalp Hotel—her favorite family retreat. Kitty will always be remembered for her fashionable dress on the slopes and starting a bit late in the morning but always making it to the last chair of the day.

Kitty was also well known for her athletic talents on the golf course learning to play at a young age at Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville where her parents were accomplished golfers. Kitty kept a single digit handicap throughout her life and won an extraordinary 25 club championships. Remarkably, she continued to play golf during her fight against cancer and competed in two tournaments as recently as this August, truly astounding her physicians. However, Kitty’s principle passion was carrying her bag on her shoulder while competing and playing with her friends and family in Charlotte and Roaring Gap.

One of Kitty’s significant contributions and for which she was most proud will be her dedication and commitment to diversity and racial equity. Kitty served on the steering committee and then as a founding Board Member of Trinity Episcopal School in uptown Charlotte. As exhibited in the Trinity Mission Statement, Kitty believed profoundly in having spiritual content in her children’s education as well as a sense of community and diversity. All four of the Garner children attended Trinity. Kitty dedicated the majority of her time over the past five years to the formation of The LoveBolt — a non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of systemic racism through social inclusion and education. Kitty became a self educated expert on how our government, legal systems, and social mores have contributed to structural racism in our society. Kitty was omnipresent in Charlotte spreading her message and using art as a platform to educate and communicate the mission of LoveBolt. Kitty will always be known for not only “talking the talk, but also walking the walk.”

Kitty’s most important legacy will be the love and care that she shared with her four children, Lindsay, Teddy, Mebane and Cameron, as well as her lifetime partner and husband of 33 years, Ted. Kitty was committed to her children’s academic and spiritual education. She was a longtime parishioner at Christ Episcopal Church where she taught Sunday school and confirmation classes. She wanted to be an example not only through what she preached but also how she lived—a never ending commitment to personal development and learning, a generous and friendly spirit, and an unyielding desire to help others. Kitty had an unusual balance of carpe diem combined with a love of traditions. She approached life with verve never wasting a minute and believed each day was a gift not to be taken for granted. Indeed, as many have described, Kitty was a force — a force of nature, creativity, style, and spirit that spilled into the lives of everyone she met.

In addition to her husband, Ted, Kitty is survived by her children, Elizabeth Lindsay, Frederic Howard, Jr., Katherine Mebane and Ann Cameron; her mother Elizabeth Lindsay Wall of Knoxville, TN; her father, Charles Trawick Dudley, Jr.; her brother, James J. Dudley and his wife, Sloan of Charlotte and their children, Will, Woodson, and Hallie, her uncle Thomas Dudley and his wife Bonnie of Jacksonville, FL; and Powell Lindsay and his wife, Melinda, of Bethesda, MD.

Kitty will be irreplaceable as a friend, community leader, wife and mother. We will miss you and love you always and your memory will endure.

A service will be held at 11am Wednesday, October 13th at Christ Church, 1412 Providence Rd. Followed by an outdoor reception. This service may be viewed live online at www.christchurchcharlotte.org/funer-live-broadcast.

Memorial gifts may be made to Lovebolt, P. O. Box 5381, Charlotte, NC 28299 (lovebolt.org).

• Copyright: Copyright (c) 2021 The Charlotte Observer

John White Westmoreland, 60, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away on Friday, October 1, 2021, at Maple Leaf Health Care in Statesville, N.C. He was born on December 11, 1960, in Mooresville to the late Eugene Roth Westmoreland and Opal Owens Westmoreland.

John was a 1978 graduate of Mooresville High School and was valedictorian of his class. He graduated from Montreat and Greensboro Colleges with a double major in music and religion. John was a writer and a radio broadcaster for radio station WHIP in Mooresville.

John is survived by a sister, Dr. Pam Westmoreland Sholar of Mooresville, and a brother, Dr. Henry Houston Westmoreland of Wingdale, N.Y.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 5, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Fred Coates and Rev. Jason Sentas officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m. Burial will follow the service in Willow Valley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 249 W. McLelland Avenue, Mooresville, NC 28115

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Westmoreland family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

It with a heavy heart that I tell you that Sebastien passed away at the end of July, 2021. We celebrated his life on August 3rd in his home town of Sete, France. Our son says he is sure to see his Dad again one day. He will live on through Etienne forever. He was a proud and devoted DAD! This time last year, Sebastien was in the hospital for testing. He felt something wasn’t right. Little did he know that Pancreatic cancer had already got the best of him. He left NY at the beginning of October last year, never to return. But he was blessed to spend his remaining days in his Mother’s home and his family was very close to him at the end. Etienne and I traveled many times to France over these last 9 months and they were able to enjoy each other’s company for sometimes weeks at a time. Virtual learning turned out to be our blessing!!

Those interested in remembering Sebastien and contributing to Etienne’s college fund are invited to make a contribution at https://www.gofundme.com/f/be-sebastiens-angels.

Douglas B. Robelen, 55, of Glen Allen, died after a long illness on July 23, 2021, with his family by his side. He was born on September 25, 1965, in Sayville, N.Y., to Don and Dorothy (deceased) Robelen.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Amy Robelen; his daughter, Caroline; and son, Sam. Doug is also survived by his father, Don Robelen (Sue) of Manakin-Sabot; and his brothers, Keith Robelen (Aline) of Charlotte, N.C. and Erik Robelen (Sheila) of Silver Spring, Md. In addition, he is survived by his aunt, Bette Piece (Geoff) of Lincoln, Mass.

Doug lived in the Richmond area for more than 30 years. He worked with great dedication as the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Virginia, a post he assumed in February 2019 (family and friends proudly joined him for the investiture ceremony with the Justices.) Before that, Doug served as the court’s Chief Deputy Clerk for more than 15 years.

He was a longtime member of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks and served on the executive committee from 2017 to 2019. Doug also worked previously as an attorney in government and private practice. He graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1990 and Davidson College in 1987.

Doug was a devoted husband, father, brother, son, nephew and friend. He was kind and considerate, displayed a sharp wit and had a keen sense of humor that routinely brought joy and laughs to those lucky enough to know him. Doug also had a deep and abiding faith and was active in St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church in Ashland.

He was a lifelong student of history – especially American history and military history – and devoured countless books on the subject. In fact, he donned a revolutionary-era wig from time to time – typically to play Thomas Jefferson or Richard Henry Lee – in historic reenactments at St. John’s Church in Richmond.

A talented musician, Doug played trumpet and performed countless times in the Richmond community. He was a founding member of the Henrico Community Band, which he performed with for nearly two decades. He also played in the Reflections Big Band.

He served as Committee Chair of Troop 777 of the Boy Scouts of America from 2014 to 2020.

In addition, he was a member of the Richmond Jaycees from 1990 to 2005 and was president in 1993 to 1994. He also served as chair of Project W.A.R.M., which provides firewood for families in need.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 31, at 10 a.m. at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 9155 Hungary Road, Henrico, Va., 23294. Please wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Doug Robelen may be made to St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church or Scout Troop 777 in Henrico.

• Copyright: © Copyright 2021, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, VA