GLASSROOTS REMEMBERS LIFETIME TRUSTEE AND PASSIONATE ARTS ADVOCATE DENA LOWENBACH

The GlassRoots Community is deeply saddened by the passing of our revered Lifetime Trustee, Dena Lowenbach, at the age of 83. Dena was the beloved wife of Ralph Lowenbach, loving mother of Julie Greimel and cherished sister of Vicki Schober and Stewart A. Fern.

Dena Lowenbach’s relationship with Newark began in 1964 when she served as the Librarian for the New Jersey Commission for the Blind. She then changed course and spent 12 years as a residential realtor in suburban Essex County, where she proudly became a member of the Million Dollar Club. Newark would soon call her back! In 1991, she was the first volunteer of the “NJPAC Project” where she would then spearhead the Volunteer Department as Director for 6 years. Since 1996, Dena had been a trustee of the NJPAC Women’s Association, chairing numerous events including the reputable Annual Spring Luncheon and Auction. Dena’s contributions have been so influential that NJPAC’s annual Volunteer of the Year Award is, in fact, named in her honor.

In 2001, Dena steered her talents to establishing GlassRoots with our esteemed Founder, Patricia “Pat” Fenix Kettenring. In her own words, Dena recalled, “When Pat Kettenring called me to ask if I thought we could create a non-profit organization that would benefit underserved young people in the greater Newark area by exposing them to the art of glass making and basic business skills, I immediately said YES!” Lucky for us, Dena remained passionately involved with our organization as Board President, Secretary, a member of the Executive Board, Chair of the Development and Governance Committees and, most recently, Lifetime Trustee.

As someone who grew up going to Newark for ballet lessons, classical concerts and exhibitions at The Newark Museum of Art, Dena’s involvement in GlassRoots reflected her unwavering commitment to making the arts accessible to future generations of Newark’s youth.  She derived great joy seeing students who started with us at the tender ages of 9 or 10 go on to thrive as artists in their own right and even Teaching Artists on our staff! As an organization about to embark on our 25th anniversary, we are honored to carry out Dena’s legacy in continuing to ensure that the young people in our community are supported and mentored with care and compassion.

President of the Board of Trustees of GlassRoots, Roger C. Tucker III, recalls, “Dena was an incredible force in Newark and I feel fortunate to have known her personally for many years. She was a great friend, a fierce advocate for the arts and, especially, her beloved GlassRoots. She’s also the reason I’m here. Dena introduced me to this wonderful organization years ago and I couldn’t be more grateful for her stewardship and mentorship over the years.”

GlassRoots Executive Director, Carol Losos, explains “GlassRoots would not be here today without Dena’s expansive vision and enormous talents. She saw the potential in our mission from our first flames at the Boys and Girls Club  and worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality. I worked closely with Dena, learned so much from her and will miss her dearly. I will continue to tap into her advocacy and enthusiasm for the arts as I lead GlassRoots into our next chapter.”

We are grateful that Dena requested that contributions in her memory be made to GlassRoots: https://glassroots.org/

Her family will be receiving guests this Wednesday, April 16th from 10:15am – 10:45am at the Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Rd in Livingston, New Jersey, 07039. The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am at the same location. For more information including the online viewing, visit:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/livingston-nj/dena-lowenbach-12338132

 GlassRoots sparks change and enables growth in individuals and communities through the transformative power of glass art. Building skills, igniting creativity, inspiring confidence and impacting economic vitality.