Mariette Arguimbau Scott brought a distinct voice to the Board of the Hispanic Society where she served for twenty-four years. The museum’s collection of historic manuscripts came from Mariette’s mother’s family in Spain. Her father served on the board from 1975-2000 before Mariette. She was an active champion of the HSML and Hispanic culture. In everything, she combined a keen entrepreneurial sense with the scholarly expertise she had acquired as a Fulbright Scholar and from her doctorate in Latin American Literature. Above all, the Hispanic Society will miss the kindness and humanity that characterized her.
Dr. Mariette Arguimbau Scott, of Darien, Connecticut Sevilla, Spain and Manhattan, NY, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2024 at Yale New Haven Hospital surrounded by her loved ones. Mariette was a dedicated and passionate woman whose life was marked by a rich tapestry of accomplishments and contributions which she shared with the love of her life, husband Edward Barton Scott V.
Born on July 18th, 1953 at Stamford Hospital, Connecticut, she was a descendent of some of the oldest family titles in Spanish aristocracy. She graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall school in 1971, Cum Laude at Skidmore College in 1975, and attended the University of Madrid, where she perfected her proficiency in Spanish.
Mariette was a Fulbright scholar and received a PHD in Romance languages from Johns Hopkins University. Later she taught at both Princeton and NYU. She played a significant role at VC Arguimbau & Company, specialty food brokerage founded in 1890 by her grandfather, where she later became CEO. Along the way she also founded Silk Serum, a skin care line, dabbled in clothing import, and co-started Tide Talkers Inc, a beach and surf clothing line for women. Her commitment to her cultural heritage and community service was evident in her tenure as a Trustee at the Hispanic Society of America for 24 years, and as director of the US/Spain chamber of commerce. She also worked holidays at the Bowery Food Kitchen in lower Manhattan.
She was not only an advocate for the arts, but also an active and vibrant member of various groups within her community. A striking dresser, she wowed people with her fashion, taste for vintage clothes, and quick wit. She was an engineer with her knitting needles, creating amazing and complex knitwear, often guiding her friends in their efforts at her “Stitch and Bitch” group. She loved being near or in the water, swimming with The Mermaids, and cold plunging in the chilly Long island Sound waters in winter.
Mariette’s most profound legacy is her four-decade marriage to Edward, a union that was the essence of her being. They built a beautiful life together, filled with travel, adventure, humor and unconditional love. The strength of their bond was recognized and admired by all who met them and an inspiration to many. She was predeceased by her parents; Vincent C Arguimbau of Darien who died in 2000 and Tempa Arguimbau y Perez de Guzman of Darien and Seville, Spain who died in 2021. She is survived by her beloved spouse, her siblings: Vincent and Hilarie Arguimbau of Darien, Ct, Peter and Kim Arguimbau of Greenwich, Ct, Suzanne and George Gebelein of South Dartmouth, MA, many nieces, nephews, cousins, stepchildren, a step grandson, a team of “mermaids”, countless cherished friends and colleagues.
The gift of Mariette’s creativity and unwavering commitment to her passions will be remembered fondly by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers please consider contributions in her name to the Hispanic Society of America or the Talmadge Hill Community Church. A celebration of Mariette’s life will be communicated once it has been planned by the family for Darien in the Fall.
