There was so much to celebrate at this, the 15th Loewi Family Backyard Party:
And how much is that? This year, Pat said, the fund will top the $1 million mark.
Even with those amazing milestones, there was a sad note to the party. Pat’s husband and Samantha’s dad, attorney Andy Loewi, died in April, after kidney cancer that had metastasized to his bones was discovered the previous November while he was training for the Chicago Marathon. He was 56.
A few tears were shed, but they quickly turned to smiles when the 200-plus guests began trading “Andy stories” and recalled the happy times the Denver family had shared.
Andy Loewi was born in New York and moved to Denver as a youngster. He graduated from George Washington High School and, after graduating from Harvard Law School, spent seven years working for a U.S. senator before returning to Denver in the early 1980s. He and Pat met in 1983 when she was managing Dale Tooley’s bid for mayor and he was a campaign volunteer.
The Loewis started their Backyard Party in 1992 as a way to thank donors – and recruit new givers – to the Samantha Loewi Fund.
In keeping with tradition, a host of the city’s best restaurants provided appetizers and drink. Ocean, for example, served ahi tuna on pickled cucumber rounds, while Elway’s did beef tartare with Russian caviar. Fruition, Montecito, Piatti’s, Tula, Chinook Tavern and Gelato d’ Italia also furnished treats.
Stepping in as co-hosts were Pat’s daughter, Kim Knous Dolan, and son-in-law, Jeff Dolan; Beth and Tom Strickland (he is Samantha’s godfather); Robin and Cole Finegan (Andy Loewi persuaded the former Denver city attorney to move here); Brenda and Stan Garnett; Mary Kohn; and Ben Honigman.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com. She also contributes at denverpostbloghouse|.com/Denver Seen.
