Remembering
Suzanne Rheinstein

On March 20, 2023, we lost our dear friend, Suzanne Rheinstein. For 19 years, Suzanne served as an enthusiastic and visionary member of the Board of Directors of the Garden Conservancy. Suzanne retired from Board service in December of last year, leaving behind an enduring legacy of passion and dedication to our mission.

Suzanne was a driving force behind many of the Conservancy's initiatives, including educational programs, hosting Open Days at her Los Angeles house and garden, serving as co-chair of the Conservancy's 25th-anniversary celebration in 2014, and most notably, envisioning and creating the Frederic Rheinstein Garden Documentation Program in memory of her beloved husband Fred.

Suzanne believed that documenting significant gardens through film would expand access to these remarkable but fragile gardens and preserve their stories for future generations. This initiative elegantly captures not only the beauty of a garden at its height but also deepens the story with historical archival materials and the significant voices within the gardening world.

In 2019, the program was renamed in honor of both Suzanne and Fred, serving as a testament to Suzanne's enduring vision. We are pleased to share with you an interview with Suzanne, filmed in her New York City home earlier that year. In the interview, Suzanne's spirit, curiosity, and her love for the beauty of American gardens shine through.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Suzanne's family and loved ones during this difficult time. We will deeply miss her friendship, her energy, and her unwavering commitment to the Garden Conservancy.