Arlene Schnitzer, z"l, died at home April 4, 2020. She was 91. She is survived by her son, Jordan Schnitzer; four grandchildren; and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold in 2011. She was a prominent philanthropist in the Jewish and arts community, as well as a gallery founder and real estate executive.

Arlene was born in Salem to Helen and Simon Director. The family moved to Portland and opened Director Furniture when she was 2. She married Harold Schnitzer in 1949.

Her interest in art began in 1958 when she enrolled in art classes at the Portland Art Museum. According to Ellen Eisenberg's book The Jewish Oregon Story 1950-2010, the training "lit a fire in her." She established the Fountain Gallery in 1961, and it became "Portland's first truly professional gallery," and "made public art more visible in the city." 

Read more at oregonlive.com/news/2020/04/arlene-schnitzer-leading-lady-of-portland-philanthropy-dies-at-91.