Arlene Abend

Post a Message of Sympathy | View Messages of Sympathy | Printer Friendly


It is with great sadness and an abundance of unique memories that family and friends mourn the passing of Arlene Abend on October 17th, 2025. She was born in Brooklyn, NY on June 23rd, 1931. Always drawn to the ocean, she frequented Brighton Beach in her early years. A graduate of the Arts at Cooper Union, finishing her bachelor’s at Syracuse University, her artistic endeavors continued well into her early nineties. She was embedded into the creative culture of Syracuse and Upstate, NY for over six decades.
Beginning with pastel portraits, Arlene expanded her talents into the mediums of ceramics, bronze, resins, and steel, focusing the majority of her career on metal sculpture from whimsical figurines to her favorite commissions for towering creations.
A trailblazer and an avid feminist before it was fashionable, Arlene would never back down from misogyny. Her stories were infectious and her love for sunsets and fresh snow on the ground was immeasurable. “I’m explaining, not complaining,” was a favorite quote from her mom, notwithstanding another favorite adage, “When you make plans, God laughs.”
Arlene is survived by her adult children, Tema Abend and Les (Carol) Abend, and her grandchildren, Alyssa O’Neal-Abend and Shira O’Neal-Abend. A Celebration of Life will be held at Congregation Beth Shalom on the evening of February 25, 2026.
www.sisskindfuneralservice.com