Passing of a Cherished Member – Friedel Mache

It is with deep sadness that the CASV wishes to honour the passing of Friedel Mache.  Friedel has been a devoted member of the CASV for 30 years.  Throughout that time, she and her husband Martin opened up their home and private collection many times to friends and members.  They developed several close friendships that endured for decades.  We will always fondly remember Friedel for her grace, style, beauty, quiet wisdom and most of all, for her genuine warmth and kindness.  Never one to chance missing anything that might be spectacular, Friedel and Martin loved to travel and went on every CASV trip they could over years.  Her friends fondly reminisce about art trips with her to L.A.and Mexico City, where despite a full day of tours, she went out dancing the night away with her friends.

I had the pleasure of meeting Friedel through mutual friends about 4 years ago at an art auction.  She immediately captured my admiration and we have been friends ever since.  Whenever I saw her, she exhibited the most sophisticated style, never overstated, and her favourite designer, Helmut Lang, soon became my own favorite.

This past summer, I had the great honour of having Friedel and Martin with us on the Paris CASV trip.  And while I promised her son that I would look after his parents, whenever things got stressful, it was she who would comfort me with her a few carefully chosen words and her motherly warmth.  Friedel never let on that she was ill and demonstrated an amazing strength and perseverance.  Even when we visited the FRAC collection in Madame Pommery’s 19th century champagne caves, she never complained as we descended a monumental staircase 70 meters underground, where it was freezing, and later had to climb the same steps upwards.  She was by all accounts, an inspiration.

Friedel worked hard at her passion, supporting not just the CASV, but also the Western Front, and the Vancouver Art Gallery.  We are all better people for having known Friedel, a shining example of elegance, grace, dignity and kindness.  She was so proud of her family who have carried on her love and support for contemporary art and we wish them peace and comfort at this time of sorrow.

Good-bye our dear friend!

-Holly Marie Armishaw

on behalf of the CASV Board of Directors