Our dear friend Theres Rohan passed away on August 10, 2019. Her devoted husband Dennis wrote that she was peaceful and surrounded by “love and all the beauty that she had created.”

Theres loved the San José Museum of Art. She became a member in 1993 and was a loyal supporter of the museum for 26 years.

In 2000, she became a member of the Director’s Council, and joined the Acquisitions Committee in 2006. She was a particular fan of the Beta Space exhibition series, and became a sponsor in 2011 with Anna Sew Hoy, and went on to generously support the Ranu Mukerjee Beta Space, followed by Diana Thater, and this year’s project with Pae White. In addition, she and Dennis generously supported the exhibitions Beauty – Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial and This Is Not a Selfie.

Theres’ curious mind and great interest in art and artists made a great contribution to the Acquisitions Committee. She and Dennis very generously opened their beautiful home to SJMA events many times, including “An Afternoon in Atherton” for the Director’s Council, and other occasions where our supporters got to spend time in her extensive garden. She was a true horticultural artist, and words cannot describe her achievement in the garden.

Many of us got to know her well, and we feel so lucky. We were thrilled that Theres and Dennis attended the opening of Beta Space: Pae White in July.

Thank you all for putting Theres in your thoughts, and also Dennis and their two children.

Warm regards,

Sayre, the Acquisitions Committee, the Board of Trustees and the staff of SJMA
S. Sayre Batton, Oshman Executive Director