Arlene Spark, a member of our Ethical Culture Society for over 40 years, died on Monday at the age of 77 of a rare neurological disorder.
Arlene, professor emeritus at CUNY School of Public Health before retiring in 2018, worked in diatetics, nutrition, food policy, and nutrition education. She was the author of three books on public health and nutrition policy, including “Nutrition in Public Health: Principles, Policies, and Practice.”
Former Leader Joe Chuman said on Monday he was informed of Arlene’s death by her daughter, Danielle, a mental health therapist in Davis, Calif.
Joe wrote:
“Arlene had written to me several years ago informing me that she had come down with a rare neurological disorder that would eventually be fatal. She had moved a few years earlier to California to be with her daughter.”
‘Warm, friendly, and very smart’
“Arlene was a wonderful person, warm, friendly and very smart,” Joe said, adding that she was highly regarded in her professional work. “In recent years, I invited Arlene to give two presentations during our summer program on nutrition and healthy eating, which she was happy to do.”
“Arlene was never an active member, but Ethical Culture was close to her,” Joe said, adding that Arlene’s daughter, Dani, went to the Fieldston School, attended our Society’s Sunday School, and participated in our Youth Group.
Arlene’s funeral will be Thursday, May 11, at 11 am at the graveside in Cedar Park Cemetery, 735 Forest Ave., Paramus.
