Obituary: Lynn Arent

"Lovely Lady"

Lynn Arent, beloved by her family and her community, died on December 7, 2004.

Lynn was born in Salt Lake City to Abe and Fanny Cohne. She graduated from East High School and the University of Southern California. At USC, she was Military Editor of The Daily Trojan and Editor-in-Chief of Wampus Magazine. She also co-founded the first college U.S.O. and one of the first college Red Cross chapters, produced and co-composed the first original USC musical production, and served as the civilian in charge of public relations for the campus naval unit.

Following college, Lynn moved to the East Coast, where she was Junior Executive in the Democratic National Committee 1944 presidential campaign and then White House and Congressional Liaison for the Democratic National Committee. She knew Presidents Roosevelt and Truman and worked directly with President Truman. She also volunteered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as an entertainer.

Lynn always said that she married "the greatest human ever," Marvin Arent. They were married on March 26, 1950 and together they produced two fabulous daughters, Patrice Arent and Shereen Arent. Lynn was "super proud" of grandchildren Sarah Mulhern, Josh Lipman, Avi Wolfman-Arent, and Hannah Wolfman-Arent and of sons-in-law Brian Wolfman and Art Lipman. Lynn wrote, "I have been a blessed woman, loved by caring parents who taught me that I could accomplish any goal. I have been loved by my very best friend and companion, Marv, and blessed by caring and outstanding children and grandchildren who are committed to helping humanity."

With partner Marv Arent, Lynn founded Arent's . . . doorway to fashion, a premier women's fashion store in Utah. Together Lynn and Marv pioneered television advertising. In 1987, Lynn was elected one of the first female Rotarians in the world. She was a member of Congregation Kol Ami and a founding member of Willow Creek Country Club. Lynn also served on many charitable boards and was particularly active in helping the University of Utah and Salt Lake Rotary.

Lynn traveled extensively for business and after retirement. She told friends that she visited London countless times and never saw "The Mousetrap", visited Copenhagen and never went to Tivoli Gardens, visited Hong Kong and never bought anything, visited Orlando and never went to Disney World but totally enjoyed the natural and man-made wonders the world over.

Lynn's wisdom, humor, and loving spirit guided all of those around her, and made all of those she loved and worked with much better people.

In addition to her husband, daughters, and grandchildren, Lynn is survived by her brother Robert Cohne, brothers-in-law Dal Siegel and Albert Arent, and sisters-in-law Colleen Cohne and Sonia Cohne. She was preceded in death by her sister Cecelia Siegel, brother Ben Cohne, and sister-in-law Esther Arent.

There will be no local public services. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 50 N. Medical Dr., S.L.C., UT 84132, or to Public Citizen Foundation, 1600 20th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20009.