Ann Claire "Acey" Wolgin, 90, art backer

Ann Claire "Acey" Wolgin, 90, of Whitemarsh, a philanthropist and patron of the arts in Philadelphia and Florida, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, of respiratory failure at the Hill at Whitemarsh.

Mrs. Wolgin was a longtime friend and supporter of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. As cochair of the Friends of the Museum and a member of the Associates Program, both donor groups, she provided strong leadership for efforts to bolster the museum.

In 1974, she was elected to serve as one of the first women trustees. She remained a museum trustee, and then trustee emeritus, for the rest of her life.

She served on museum committees focusing on the institution's European paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, and photographs.

Along with her husband, William, she was committed to the growth of the museum's collections. Though they were especially keen on 20th century art, the Wolgins made gifts to support different aspects of the museum, and created two endowment funds.

Mrs. Wolgin also was a supporter of other art organizations across the region: the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Philadelphia Center for Architecture, the Fabric Workshop and Museum, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Born in Rochester, Pa., Mrs. Wolgin attended Connecticut College for Women, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry in 1945.

She went on to complete a master of science degree in physiological chemistry in 1946 at the University of Pennsylvania. She married in 1947.

Much of her life was devoted to advancement of the visual arts and fostering of young artistic talent. She was a founding member of the Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Association Arts Council, and was chairwoman of its Visual Arts Committee. In that role, she became interested in some of the notable artists of the 1960s - Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, and Christo.

"Lifelong friendships were formed with many artists who often visited her home in Philadelphia, on certain occasions using her residence as a studio," her family said in a tribute.

She helped bring about the Philadelphia LOVE postage stamp and the LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana that remains a globally recognized symbol of Philadelphia near City Hall.

Later in life, she attended Adelphi College in New York, where she earned a certificate in nonprofit fund-raising, "which she put to great use," her family said.

Together with her husband, she traveled to Nepal, Kashmir, Iran, China, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.

In 1980, when her husband became interested in sailing, the two sailed in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

In 1990, the Wolgins moved to Florida, where they became active with the Boca Raton Museum of Art. She organized the Collectors' Forum, an auxiliary group that organized viewings of private art collections all over the United States, and raised funds so that the museum could acquire art. In 2012, the two moved back to the Philadelphia area and retired to the Hill at Whitemarsh.

Surviving, besides her husband of 67 years, are a son, Richard I.; a daughter, Frances A. "Fredi"; two grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Services and interment were private. The family observed shivah Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20 and 21.

Contributions may be made to the Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia 19118.