By: Janelle Aliana
Chairwomen Andrea Stark, Robbi Toll, Liz Feuer, and Wendy Topkis were honored to present H.O.W.’s 24th annual “Time is of the Essence Luncheon” at The Beach Club, Palm Beach, on Monday, January 26, 2026. Eduarda “Eddy” Taylor, Judy Snyder, and Roberta Kozloff served as honorary chairwomen. Proceeds from the luncheon benefited H.O.W. Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper.
This year’s honoree and guest speaker was Christine Baranski, award-winning actress known for her Emmy-winning role as Maryann Thorpe in Cybill, as well as her acclaimed performances as Diane Lockhart in The Good Wife and The Good Fight, and currently as Agnes van Rhijn in The Gilded Age. Her career includes multiple Emmy nominations and a distinguished reputation on both stage and screen.
Andrea Stark, chair of the 2026 H.O.W. Luncheon, welcomed guests and thanked the co-chairs, honorary chairs, and sponsors for their support. She emphasized the importance of the event and the ongoing fight against ovarian cancer, which affects more than 22,000 women each year in the United States.
She shared the history of H.O.W., founded in 2001 to provide financial support to women battling ovarian cancer by helping cover medical and essential expenses. Andrea also acknowledged the contributions of sponsors, board members, and silent auction donors.
A special mention was made for ovarian cancer survivors in the audience, including Ann Candido, former H.O.W. board member and a 20-year Ovarian Cancer survivor, and Louise Altese Isidori, a stage IVB ovarian cancer survivor and a devoted H.O.W. advocate.
Stark then recognized Jennifer McGrath, H.O.W.’s executive director, for her leadership and personal connection to the cause. Andrea concluded by encouraging continued support of H.O.W. and honoring the strength and resilience of those affected by ovarian cancer.
“From the extraordinary attendance to the heartfelt moments shared, the 2026 H.O.W. Time Is of the Essence Luncheon captured the very heart of our mission. Actress Christine Baranski’s longstanding advocacy for women’s health elevated the conversation, while hearing Louise Altese-Isidori speak so bravely about her survival journey reminded us all why urgency, hope, and community matter so deeply in the fight against ovarian cancer,” said McGrath.
In a casual interview format, Baranski answered questions from Guest Moderator Pamela Fiori, the first female editor of Town & Country magazine, the oldest continuously published general-interest magazine in America, and an authority on luxury travel and lifestyle. Special guest Dr. Robert M. Wenham touched on any advances and treatments with ovarian cancer.
Baranski then shared about her own mother’s journey with cancer. “My mother did not have ovarian cancer, but at age 73, she was diagnosed with stage three lymphoma. The chemotherapy back then was extremely harsh, but she went into remission. Later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy, and again went into remission. Then she developed lung cancer and had a lung removed. The doctors considered her a medical phenomenon. She battled three different forms of cancer.
She was such a warrior. I took her to her treatments, and I know the road that patients and families walk. When my mother was first diagnosed, my brother and I were stunned, but there wasn’t the kind of support system that exists today. But she was incredibly strong. She lived through the Depression, walked to school with newspapers in her shoes, lost her husband young, and still kept going. In 15 years of illness, she never even said the word “cancer.” It was too frightening. She would just say, ‘This thing.’ That’s why I so admire organizations where women support one another. It means so much.”
During the luncheon, guests enjoyed a silent auction and prize drawing for an exquisite ORIS Divers Sixty-Five “Cotton Candy” Bronze 38MM watch (retail $3,200) with automatic winding, pink Perlon strap, and a WOLF Tutti Frutti Pink vegan leather watch roll, generously donated by Hamilton Jewelers.
The final speech of the luncheon was from Dr. Robert M. Wenham, Chairman of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Senior Member in the Molecular Medicine Program at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, and Professor of Oncologic Sciences at the University of South Florida, who shared his research and the recent advancements of treatment options for ovarian cancer.
Major benefactors of the luncheon are Betsy K. Matthews and Eduarda “Eddy” Taylor. The corporate sponsor is Inlet Private Wealth.
Guests included Ardre Adams, Ann-Britt Angle, Adrien Arpel, Lauren Arpel, Kelly Armentano, Mickey Beyer, R. Couri Hay, Beth Bradley, Colby Brock, Carolin Brock, Cindy Brock, Janice Brock, Ashley Brown, Jen Brown, Marlene Brown, Janna Bullock, Kimberly Paige Bluhm, Crystal Boadadi, Mary Boykin, Kristen Caffelle, Anca Cassanelli, Lorin Carpenter, Jayne Chase, Jaime Coco, Pam Collum, Fran Herdrich, Kim Corbitt, Carole Crystal, Rebecca Doane, Judy Donoff, Donna Dodson, Oshri Endzweig, Elizabeth Feur, Frances Fisher, Natalie Fix, Christina Flaherty, Eva Foley, Pamela Fiori, Alicia Fraccola, Janet Gusman, Adrian Haber, Jill Hamilton, Nicki Harris, Vanessa Heary, Lillian Heidenberg, Janet Hershaft, Kerry Humphrey, Lyn Ianuzzi, Louise and Joe Isidori, Ellen Jaffe, Lillian Johnson, Jane Karp, Nanette Kass, Karen Kasner, Roberta Kozloff, Phyllis Krock, Shelby Kruzhov, Rose Lambert, Jennifer Lancaster, Linda Lachman, Jeff Leone, Ellen Levy, Janet Levy, Arlene Levine, Jack Lynch, Rita Marteski, Elizabeth Matthews, Betsy Matthews, Lolla McGraw, Judy Messing, Michelle Michaud, Amy Milch, Jancy Morris, Hilary Morgan, Mona Morello, Barbara Nicklaus, Kiki Norman, Nancy Oelbaum, Maryka Olberg, Heather Olsen, Pam Pantzer, Emily Pantelides, Elena Peroulakis, Dr. Donna Pinelli, Sharon Prolow, Sarah Ralph, Pat Rojo, Danielle Rollins, Barbara Rothschild, Susan Ross, Eddie Schur, Terri Schottenstein, Laine Siklos, Donna Slipakoff, Hinda Snyder, Lore Smith, Penelope Speh, Lana Steinberg, Renee Steinberg, Robin Tebbe, Robbie Toll, Dawn Toce, Wendy Topkis, Melanie Van Trump, Sarah Vogt, Nancy Westlund, Carol Wolowitz, Joann Wurzak and Lois Zelma.
