Photos for Mark

Photo from 1991? Arlene

My grandson and I were lucky enough to meet Mark at last year's Origami Convention in New York.  It's our first time there and Colin my grandson, age 7,  was one of the youngest participants.  Mark gave him lots of attention and love--showing him how to fold these two hats.  We were just eating in the cafeteria!  Colin remembers him well and can say Mark's full name without prompting.  Actually I wasn't sure and had to look it up.  Indeed, he was correct.  Thank you, Mark for touching Colin's life!  You would be missed!

Hello! My name is Brian Yoon, currently a high school student who folds origami. I am very sad to hear that he passed away.  I first met Mark at a fold and feast where did not know anyone attending. Mark was the first person to set out a chair for me and invited me to fold with him. I really appreciated his thoughtful gesture as it made me feel welcomed and allowed me to experience the generosity of the origami community.  I still remember that night when he taught me his signature origami dragon. He folded one out of a colorful blue paper while I followed suit with a red piece of paper. It was such a marvelous fold and I enjoyed folding it tremendously. While Mark also taught me how to fold a spinning top and a clown, I really enjoyed the dragon. I still have it up on display in my bedroom! I am very sad to hear that he passed, but I am also very glad to have had the pleasure to make his acquaintance. I saw him again at the most recent fold and feast. It was very nice to see him again...

Mark was a wonderfully generous person. His folding lives on in the box of models he sent to me back in 1991 which I display when I go to teach origami at schools. I loved talking with Mark and trying to memorize the rapid fire jokes he would tell.  The final fold of Mark's magnificent legacy is now complete but his gift to the world lives on every time someone folds his creations.        Steve and Jayne Richards 1932 St. Clair Pekin, Illinois  61554

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1497903646973747&id=100002623797310 Verzonden door BlueMail

Souvenirs émus de notre rencontre à Colmar, lors de la convention de mai 2014 du MFPP. Jean-Claude

Mark made an impact. We shared so many correspondences as writers in the same ZINE - before internet. It was a pleasure to meet him for the first time at convention 2017 Sad to hear of his passing PlateSpinner  aka   OrigamiJack  aka  OUSA Member #127

 

Memories of Mark being the special guest at the Dutch OSN convention with Arlene.  His workshop of dyeing paper, folding together and his jewelry. cherishable moments. RIP dear Mark. This was on FB from Elly van Zundert from the Netherlands. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2191119320901898&id=100000115556684 Verzonden door BlueMail

Oh, I wish I'd known about this site while Mark was still alive! I just hope he knew how much he meant to us. Tovi's been going to the museum folding sessions ever since Mark first told us about them, and for the past six and a half years – from all the models and jokes he shared to his thoughtful emails, witty T-shirts, and endless warmth, patience, and humor – he's been such a heartening fixture in our lives. Pi Day (which happens to be Tovi's birthday, too) won't be as sweet without him. Sending you all our love and sympathy, Arlene.   Rachel, Eric and Tovi

Messages/pictures from Facebook

We are deeply saddened by Mark's passing. But so so many of us have been touched by Mark, his teaching, his generosity, his kindness and spirit. Those of us who were at the OPF meeting yesterday, wanted to send our prayers and share our sincere sympathy.   Pictured are: Back row (L – R) John, Karen, Tim, Merida, Mike, Yasue; Front row (L – R) Amanda, Monica, Bonnie   Mark we miss you. Arlene we send our love.

So now you both are folding in heaven.... like in Origami Heaven RIP Mark and Russell Sutherland May you fold in peace and wait for me there... Beata Kupczak

I'm sorry the first email was sent accidentally, before I finished with pictures. I met Mark at my very first origami convention in 2011 in Long Island, New York Origami Heaven. I came there with another origamist who passed away Russell Sutherland and Mark welcomed me like he used to: with an empty bag which I should fill with his pins.... Few years later he came to German convention, I wanted to pay back for his generosity, but he looked on my works and said that this is his pay back - the way I found my place in origami. Both Mark and Russell found in me an origami potencial and asked me to work with it, and without them and Origami Heaven I wouldn't be what I am - as a matter of fact.... In the restaurant he tought me how to fold a dollar bull and I still have the one he folded for me, as same as many magnets on my fridge. He will be missed by all of us . Lots of love to Arlene! Beata Kupczak, POLAND

James Goddard 23 hrs  ·  This is one of my most treasure models that I folded with the late Mark Kennedy (who sadly passed away today) with paper he made too, at the 2013 Extreme Origami Convention at Origami Heaven, Stonybrook, NY It was a real treat to fold this John Montroll Stegosaurus one on one with Mark and I still remember and the way Mark help me through this Complex model with such great teaching I almost thought it was a intermediate or simple model LOL, Mark Kennedy will forever be in me Heart RIP Mark and may your soul never stop folding !!

From: Alessandro Beber I was shocked to hear Mark Kennedy passed away yesterday... My thoughts are with his wife Arlene, and all his friends. I first met Mark at my very first origami convention, in Florence, Italy, in 2002. I was just 10, and spoke no English yet, but never forgot this funny gentle American man, and was so proud to wear one of his pins! Then, Mark and Arlene were in Italy again in 2012, at the convention in Vicenza, and we travelled together to Munich, Germany, for the 10th OrigamiTag, where I had the chance to know them better. One photo is from that time. And then I was lucky enough to join their famous Fold&Feed last summer, after the 2017 OrigamiUSA convention! I had a great time there, and was really wishing and hoping for many more times together in the future, somewhere around this origami world! It's hard to describe such a special person in words, but I'm sure he left something important and strong in everybody who had the chance to meet him. He ...

From: Andrea Thanner Dear Mark, sad to hear that you are haveing cancer. I wish you all the best and strength for the operation and further treatments. I always keep my pins as "my jewels" and will always be thankful being guest in your house in 2003 after the New York convention. This was marvelous. I wish you all the best and hope to see you soon. Love. Andrea

 Miss you, Mark. We love you, Arlene.

I’m not sure it is clear, the link to post your pictures and love is:   photosformark2018.post2blog@blogger.com   Faye

I posted this on Facebook, but I wanted to make sure that Arlene get to see. ..... From a variety of sources. The folding community has lost a folder. Mark Kennedy. My heart goes out to Arlene and his family. Mark had a fantastic and generous will as a folder. Conventions won't be the same, those amazing Fold and Feed Sessions. Folding Sundays won't be the same. I took this photo of him at Origami Heaven a few years ago. RIP Mark. I will miss his presence. -Linda Yau

He was one of the first folders I remember meeting at FOCA. I remember him teaching a parrot and dragon. He was always so welcoming and generous.

Love you Mark, thanks for being a great stepdad and teaching me to build community through a creative pursuit. Rachael

To my stepdad, Mark From Rachael Gorchov

We lost a very dear and loving ORIGAMI friend today:  Mark Kennedy  MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. My deepest sympathy to Arlene, his family and to all who had the pleasure to met Mark. He will be missed. Love you Mark. Mariëtte Kok Your crazy Dutch Blonde Verzonden door BlueMail

Mark is gone. My Love. He is at peace. Too soon. Arlene

Hi Mark I started bringing my nieces to the convention when they were about 8 years old. (They are 22 now)  It became a tradition to buy a pin or two from you at each convention.  When they were young, they would ask to go see the "Pin Man".   This is a photo of Kristen and Courtney at the last convention they attended at Manhattan College. We are all sending happy thoughts your way.

Wore my parrot pin to opening night of Escape to Margaritaville on Broadway.

Here is a photo of my favorite pin from Mark.  I wear the pink one all the time and I have a back-up in blue! I get tons of complements and always say, my friend Mark made it :-) The last time I saw Mark was on Dec. 3, 2017.  He came into the museum to teach his Special Sessions class on models that move. I was so happy to see him-- the first time ever without his beard.  I wish I had taken a photo of his class called "Moving Origami" where he taught some great action models. /Wendy

AMNH Tree Lighting 1991 Sending Love and Prayers to You. JBG & BG .

...at my very first class at an OrigamiUSA convention, way back when it was held at the middle school near the Museum! Mark's unfailing enthusiasm and humor have always been hallmarks of any convention or gathering he attends, and his generosity,  energy and spirit of volunteerism inspiring. Best wishes, Mark.

Cranes for Mark Kennedy These are photos of the 1,000 cranes folded for Mark Kennedy during Origami Heaven in January, 2018. It also shows the book with all the notes that people contributed with their cranes. Mary Ann Scheblein-Dawson organized the folding of the cranes. Cranes were strung by Mary Ann, as well as Jean Baden-Gillette, and myself (Wendy Zeichner) Mary Ann put the book together. Everyone at Origami Heaven was missing Mark and Arlene and there was a lot of enthusiasm for folding these cranes for Mark. /Wendy