Alumni Obituaries

Please submit obituary information to alumni@necmusic.edu.

1920s

Celeste Chamblee Paul ’27, Vocal Performance, on May 17, 2010, in Raleigh, NC.  Mrs. Paul, after her graduation from NEC, taught voice at Southeastern State College in Durant, OK. 2011-06-01

Dorothy R. Knauss ’28 DP, Harp Performance, on January 14, 2010, in Allentown, PA. After graduating from NEC, Miss Knauss toured the United States and Canada for five years with The Student Prince and Blossom Time operettas. Returning to Allentown, PA, she took a further course of study with composer and harpist Marcel Grandjay. She was principal harpist for thirty-four years with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra , solo harpist for sixty-seven years with the Allentown Concert Band, and was for fifty-six years, with the Allentown Municipal Opera Company. She was a life member of the American Harp Society and is listed in the International Whos Who In Music. A respected teacher, Miss Knauss always encouraged her 410 piano and 80-plus harp students to be versatile. An active community member, Miss Knauss served for many years on the board of the Allentown Community Concert Association and the Allentown Art Museum. She held life memberships in Liberty Bell Shrine, Friends of the Allentown Library, Lehigh County Historical Society, and the Musicians Local Number 561. 2011-06-01

1930s

Eleanor Lillian Carr  '30 DP '33 died peacefully on Tuesday, May 22, 2012. She was born April 17, 1908, the daughter of Lawrence and Helen Miller and was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Henry Carr, son, James Edward Carr and brother, James Miller. She is survived by cousins, Beverly and Richard Mathias of Montoursville, PA, Scott, Jessica and Natlie Mathias of Port Charlotte, FL, and longtime friend and caregiver, Charles Redmon. She was a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music (Boston) and worked for over 50 years as a music educator and choral director in the United Methodist Church and was the first female to be officially recognized by the denomination for her outstanding musical contributions in seminary work. The family would like to express our deep gratitude to her loyal caregivers, Donna Hendricks and Mutiat Odeyemi from Elder Care. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM Sunday, May 27, 2012 at the chapel of A. S. Turner and Sons with Rev. Haco Von Hacke officiating. Interment will be in Floral Hills Memory Gardens.

Sylvia D. White '39 DP Piano Performance, on June 24, 2011 in Fremont, New Hampshire. She was born in Lynn on August 18, 1912 and was a resident of Newtonville for 63 years.  Although in her youth, she was an avid swimmer and tennis player, her family and friends fond memories relate to Sylvia at the piano. Sylvias parents encouraged their twin daughters to take lessons and they enjoyed playing the piano ever since. When Madolyn was born, she loved to hear them play. Later, when Irv was born, he loved the music so much that he became Sylvia's first student. Sylvia, Alice and Irv made family reunions merry with music. Sylvia graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and began teaching piano. Through her conservatory piano teacher, she met and fell in love with Ted. They had a wonderful life together, raising their children and going on family outings. As her children became older, Sylvia resumed her teaching. For over fifty years, her devoted students came from all over Newton and beyond. She held piano parties for her students and gave miniature glass animals and statues of composers as prizes for memorizing pieces. A former student, Lucy Segal, remembers Mrs. White as a wonderful and kind teacher. Lucy noted Her handwritten notes are on some of my music. I guess she'll be with me forever. Her sister, Amy Green, said I will hold onto my lesson books forever and always have a smile on my face when I open them up. While in her eighties, Sylvia became the accompanist for the Newton Silvertones and another senior chorus in Brookline. She continued her accompanying and teaching into her nineties. Only a week before her passing, Sylvia played the piano as visiting family members sang along. 2011-11-11

Dorothy De Maria '32 DP Piano Performance on December 29, 2011. Born on March 16, 1910, she was 101. Dorothy was a member of Holy Rosary Church where she spent some time as organist. She also played harp and piano in local music groups and for weddings. She was a driving force in bringing the Community Concert series to Woodland and Sacramento, CA.  2012-01-12

Guglielmina Boznia "Buzzy" Fiorentino '36 Piano Performance on April 18, 2012 beloved sister of Raffaela Yannoni, Mary Katherine Mafalda Fiorentino and Leontina Frongillo. Beloved daughter of Nicola and Margherita Mochella Fiorentino, born in Revere, lived most her life in Jamaica Plain, and most recently a member of the Salmon Family Community in Westborough. She was a beloved Aunt to many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great grand nieces nephews as well. She was an honors graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in 1936 and for over 70 years a mentor and confidant to hundreds of families students who, she shared her love of music with and taught to play the piano. 2012-04-24

Ruby (Plummer) Lane '37 DP Vocal Performance on December 13, 2010, at Glencliff Home in New Hampshire, after a long illness.She was born Nov. 20, 1914, in Malden, Mass., daughter of the late Roger and Louise Plummer.She attended school in Hopkinton, graduating in 1933, and graduated from New England Conservatory of Music. She lived in Boston, Richland, Wash., and later in Alton. Ruby traveled around the world as a missionary, making several trips to Israel and Canada. After becoming ill, she was admitted to Glencliff Home, where she lived until her death. She was predeceased by her husband, Herbert Lane; and two brothers, Roger Plummer Jr. and Frank Plummer.She is survived by one brother, Claude Plummer of Laconia; and several nieces and nephews. 2012-01-12

1940s

Phyllis Gertrude Sampson Hoffman '40 DP Trumpet Performance passed away peacefully in Scarborough at Pine Point Center on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012, at the age of 94. She was predeceased by her husband, Philip F. Hoffman; brother, Elmer 'Bud' Sampson; and daughter, Judith Elaine Hoffman. She is survived by her brother, Warren Sampson; sons, Adrian Hoffman and wife Wanda Graham of Nova Scotia, Canada, Julian Hoffman and wife Kris of Boise, Idaho, and daughter, Johanna Hoffman of Saco, and son-in-law Richard Holmes of New Hampshire. Grandchildren include Christopher, Daniel, Tristan, Kaedin, Katlin and Joshua; and great-grandchildren, Andrew, Charles, Elysse and Justin.Phyllis was first and foremost an amazing mother. She was a professional classical musician, composer, music instructor as well as a painter and a poet.
She was a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. While studying at NEC she won numerous awards for her compositions including the Paderewski Award in 1949. She was a professional musician, proficient on French horn and trumpet. She taught music lessons privately at her home in Sharon, Mass. She enriched the lives of many young musicians who went on to professional careers in music as well as music lovers who gained an appreciation for classical music.
Phyllis shared her knowledge, and exuded an enthusiasm and passion for many creative interests and rarely asked for anything in return. Her love of the English language, literature and poetry was shared with all who knew her. She also enjoyed being an amateur radio operator with a hundreds of contacts and QSL cards from around the world.
In 2001 she and her husband Philip moved from North Kingston, R.I., to Scarborough. 2012-08-22

Ruth W. (Wilkie) Jolls '40,Piano Performance, 91 years of age, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2012 at the John Scott House in Braintree. She was born in Braintree, daughter of the late Frederick E. and Ruth (Williams) Wilkie. She was a graduate of Braintree High School and attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston where she studied voice. In later years, she attended Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy. She had sung in various Churches including the First Congregational Church of Braintree and the South Congregational Church, South Braintree. She was a substitute music teacher for the Braintree school system. For many years she had been a piano teacher for a number of students. She was a lifelong active member of the First Congregational Church where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. She was a former choir director at the First Congregational Church. Ruth was a member of the Braintree Womens Club, the Braintree Chapter Order of Eastern Star, and the P.E.O. Society. Ruth had belonged to the Braintree Rainbow Girls and was a former Past Worthy Advisor of the Rainbow Girls. She had also belonged to the former Philergians Society in Braintree. For many years, she and her family enjoyed summers at Dennisport and West Harwich. She was the wife of the late Richard D. Jolls. She is survived by two sons, Richard W. Jolls married to Patricia Jolls of Braintree and John D. Jolls of Mansfield, CT. She is survived by five grandchildren; John Richard Jolls of Wyomissing, PA., Kimberley Ferreira of Weymouth, Christopher Richard Jolls of Dennis, Michael Richard Jolls of Braintree and Jennifer Mary (Jolls) Longobardi of Braintree. She was the great-grandmother of Gabriella Jolls and Zoe Linda Ferreira, Austin and Kyle Jolls, Samantha Longobardi, Izabelle Longobardi, and Michael Patrick Jolls. 2012-07-03

Arnold L. Manchester '41, Percussion Performance on January 16, 2012 of Columbia, MD. Beloved husband of Virginia Stiegler Manchester; loving father of Raymond Manchester; stepfather of Willa Jacob and her husband Bo, and loving grandfather of their daughters Jacy and Cary; stepfather of Carl Stiegler and his wife Linda. Born in Massachusetts, he was a graduate of New England Conservatory of Music, and served as a member of the West Point Band. His musical career led him to New York City. He performed professionally with orchestras, Broadway shows, and jazz and swing bands as a drummer and percussionist. He was also a fine session musician and recorded in New York and Los Angeles with various artists. Later in life he moved to Baltimore to become business manager for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra during the construction years of the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. He was proud to be a lifelong member of Local 802, the musicians' union of Greater New York. He was a 32nd degree Mason, Noquochoke Lodge, MA, member of the Scottish Rite and Boumi Shriner. 2012-01-23

Franklin P. Taplin '42, Music History on May 26, 2012 at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, while on a visit to his daughter and family in Chevy Chase, MD. He was born on July 28, 1919 to Harry Blake and Helen Hood Taplin in Wellesley, Mass., where he grew up in a family of three older brothers and a younger sister. He attended Amherst College and transferred after one year to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston from which he graduated in 1941, majoring in the organ. Following the U.S. entry into World War II in December 1941, Mr. Taplin volunteered for military service as a Chaplain's Assistant, U.S. Army Air Corps. Mr. Taplin earned a master's degree in music from Boston University in approximately 1948, and a master's degree in library science from Simmons College in 1958. During his three-year war service in England, Mr. Taplin developed an appreciation for the rich musical liturgy of Anglicanism, and upon returning home from the war in 1945, became an Episcopalian. His musical career as an organist and choir director took him to both Episcopal and Congregational churches until his retirement in 1986, among them St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Holyoke, the First Congregational Church in West Springfield, and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Longmeadow. Upon his appointment to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Wellesley in 1948, he met Nancy E. Stearns, a young member of the choir. Nancy and Franklin were married on April 15, 1950 and lived their lives happily together until her death in 2005. With a young family to support, Mr. Taplin began an additional career as a public librarian. He worked in assistant capacities at public libraries in Newton, Springfield, and Waltham, and served as Director of the Holyoke Public Library, Western Massachusetts Regional Library System, and lastly, the Westfield Athenaeum, from which he retired in 1986. He also taught library science at Westfield State College in the 1970s, and served on numerous library association boards, including recent service for the Western Massachusetts Library Club. Mr. Taplin loved the summer season, and spending time in, on, and near the water at a family summer home on the coast of Maine, and at Silver Lake, NH, where he started going as a boy. He celebrated his 90th birthday with an overnight boat trip to Provincetown, recalling his early experiences of day steamer trips to Nantasket and Provincetown. Since 2003 he has lived at Loomis Village in South Hadley, where he served the community by playing the organ for a full calendar of Protestant and Catholic services and hymn sings. He remained an active friend of the Gaylord Library in South Hadley until the time of his death. In addition to his beloved wife, Nancy, he is predeceased by his daughter Hope G. Pfeifle, his brothers Gardner, John, and Edward Taplin, and his sister, Helen Taplin Allison. Surviving him are his son Dana H. Taplin (Michele) of Brooklyn, NY, daughters Carol G. Taplin of West Roxbury, MA, and Victoria Delancy (Benjamin), of Chevy Chase, MD, sister-in-law Virginia B. Taplin of Newton, MA, brother-in-law William H. Allison of Needham, MA, six grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at St. Paul's Church in Holyoke on Friday morning, June 1, at 11 o'clock. Calling hours will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, at the Ryder Funeral Home in South Hadley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gaylord Library in South Hadley, and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. 2012-05-30

Irving Sarin ’42, Trumpet Performance, on October 10, 2010 in Houghton Lake, MI.  A performer and teacher, Irving’s career included serving eighteen years as first trumpet for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, playing with the Israel Philharmonic, Radio City Music Hall, the MGM Concert Orchestra, the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, the American Ballet Theatre, the National Symphony Watergate Concerts, and the Boston Pops. After retiring from performance and teaching, Irving lived in Michigan. At the age of 85, Irving made his final move to Houghton Lake, MI with his wife Anne to be near his youngest son Edward and two of his grandchildren. 2011-06-01

Lt. Cmdr. Maley O. Cramer '43, Clarinet Performance, of Falmouth, MA on January 9, 2013 in Boston, MA.  He is survived by sister, Lois Cain of Sedan, KS and two daugthers, Carol J. C. Mills of Falmouth and Washington DC, and Nancy Cramer Godfrey of Sarasota, FL.  2013-01-18

Helen M. (Elena) Fitzpatrick '43 DP, Piano Performance, a Lynnfield resident since 1972, died on Sunday October 2, 2011 at her home. Born in Somerville on June 22, 1921 she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Severino) Vincent. Helen was a graduate of Somerville High School and the New England Conservatory of Music. She was a classically trained pianist. Helen was also a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Lynnfield. Helen was the wife of the late Leo A. Fitzpatrick. She was the mother of Lee Fitzpatrick of Lynnfield and John V. Fitzpatrick and his wife Joanne of No. Reading. 2012-06-21

Doris (Riedel) Dion, '44 DP, Piano Performance, of Plymouth, age 88, at Radius Health Care Center of Plymouth. Wife of the late George T. Dion. Mother of George F. Jay and his wife Wendy of Kingston; sister of the late Robert Riedel; she also leaves three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Doris was born in Kingston, a daughter of Robert and Emily (Weimert) Riedel. She went to Kingston Schools and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Doris taught piano and organ in private lessons she was a subsitute music teacher in the Bourne Schools. She was a member of the Alpha-Chi Omega (National Honor Society). 2011-11-11

Marian Jaques Vafiades '45, Music Education, on October 10, 2011 in Hampden, ME. Marian graduated from Milton High School, Milton, Mass., and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, in 1945 and a Master of Arts degree from Tufts University, in 1946. Her varied career included performing, arranging, composing, conducting, researching and teaching music. Marian played both the trumpet and the French horn, and conducted both instrumental and choral music groups. She taught private lessons and public school classes, including at Reading High School in Massachusetts, Garland Street Junior High School, Hampden Academy and Northern Conservatory of Music in Maine. She performed in USO tours and was director of music for the armed service radio station in Fort Devens, Mass. She conducted community and school choruses and orchestras in venues from Massachusetts to Canada. Music was integral to Marian's life. Community work was also a focus of Marian's life. She served on boards and panels for Opera New England, National Endowment for the Arts, Maine Arts Commission, Arcady Music Society, Eastern Maine Medical Center and Phillips-Strickland House. Some of these groups also benefited from Marian's adjudication training and skills, and she also adjudicated statewide band and choral competitions. As a couple, Marian and her husband, Lewis "Lew" Vafiades, were cornerstones of the Greater Bangor area community, active in political, legal, and varied social groups and events. Family and travel, often combined, were yet another focus of Marian's life. From local trips to Boston on the subway when she was growing up to trips throughout the world as an adult, Marian loved exploring varied cultures, including their music. Family boating trips were important to both Marian and Lew and to their extended family.   2011-11-09

Olivia C. Fernandes '46  DP '47,  Piano Performance, on Feb. 7, 2013 at at Pittsfield hospital. She was born Jan. 11, 1925, in Dexter, a daughter of Lawson and Clara (Arsenault) Reeves. Olivia studied at Wilton Academy and graduated from Winthrop High School. She received a bachelor's degree from New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, and a master's degree from Boston University. She also studied at Northeastern University and Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York. She taught music privately and in public schools in Maine and New Hampshire. She had also been employed by New England News Clip Agency of Framingham, Mass. While living in Massachusetts Olivia met Manuel Fernandes at Brighton Evangelical Church where they were members. After their marriage May 28, 1994, in Corinna, she assisted him in his nursing home ministry in Maine. Both had also attended classes at the University of Maine, Orono, preparing them for their joint field. They were active members of Corinna United Methodist Church. They were involved in Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Bangor, and were also members of the Tres Dias movement. Olivia was a member of United Methodist Women of Maine. She is survived by two cousins, a niece, four nephews and one great-nephew. She is also survived by dear friends, Pearl and Bernice Griffin of West Newbury, Mass.; and her cat, Penelope. She was predeceased by her husband, Manny, May 25, 2011; as well as two infant brothers. 2013-02-12

Janice A. DeLong '46, Music Education on April 11, 2012 at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Florida after a short illness. Born in Jacksonville, Florida December 22, 1924, married to J. Donald DeLong December 21, 1944 and was a resident of Jacksonville Beach for 31 years until moving to Gainesville, Florida in 2004. Janice was a Andrew Jackson High School graduate of 1943, a member of Jackson Jills, as well as a Tiger Key recipient. She went on and attended Florida State Women's College, Tallahassee and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega fraternal organization. She was a founding member of the Jacksonville Watercolor Society and the Beaches Art Center, sang with the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus, was a cellist with the Sarasota Symphony and taught piano to New England Conservatory of Music students in Boston, Massachusetts, as well as taught piano to young aspiring pianists for decades. She also was a soloist and sang in many church choirs directed by her late husband J. Donald DeLong, organist and choirmaster while residing in Massachusetts, Long Island and throughout Florida. Her most recent choral engagement was with the United Church of Gainesville choir. She was also a member of St. Monica's Guild at St Paul's by the Sea, Jacksonville, Beach. She was a devoted wife for 56 years and loving mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia Sanborn Abernathy, father, Sego Sanborn, step father, Norman L. Abernathy and husband, J. Donald DeLong. She is survived by her two sons, Gregory V. DeLong of Gainesville, Florida and Gerard S. DeLong, granddaughters Jennifer H. Proctor and Alina DeLong, grandson Jason DeLong and great grandson Benjamin M. Brady. 2012-04-18

Theresa D. Balluff '46 Vocal Performance, on November 17, 2009.  2011-11-11

John F. Galletly '46, Popular Music on February 3, 2012. While surrounded by his loving family, John left this life to be with the love of his life of 60 years, Margaret A. Scorpa Galletly. Margaret passed away eight days ago on January 26, 2012. A lifelong resident of Pittsfield, he had resided at Rose Manor. Born in Pittsfield on August 31, 1927, the son of Ralph and Lillian Lynch Galletly, he was educated in Pittsfield schools and was a 1945 graduate of Pittsfield High School. He also attended the New England Conservatory of Music. He served with the United States Coast Guard. Mr. Galletly was a music teacher for more than 30 years. During the 1960s, he taught piano and operated a studio on North Street. From 1968 to 1971, he also owned and operated The Keyboard Shoppe on North Street. Mr. Galletly was a member of the Musicians Union Local 109. During the early 1960s, he played at the Show Boat six nights a week. He also played at Fox Hollow School in Lenox, at the Stanley Club in Pittsfield, and at the American Legion and VFW. Mr. Galletly played with the Danny Barzie Orchestra, the Alan Grieve Orchestra, the John Galletly Orchestra, and played in various bands, as well. After closing The Keyboard Shoppe, Mr. Galletly went to work for Marland Mold from where he retired on March 29, 1991. He enjoyed gardening, especially growing roses, and painting. He was also an avid Red Sox and Patriots Fan. Mr. Galletly is survived by two daughters, Atty. Lynn T. Galletly of Springfield and her companion, Kevin Honiker of Pittsfield, and Joan E. Wixsom and her husband, David, of Pittsfield; six grandchildren, Mark, Stephanie, Bethany, Michael and his wife, Treden, Kali, and Jessica, and two great grandchildren, Skylar and Layla. 2012-02-06

Julyann Hartwell House '47, Music Education age 86, of Richmond, Va. passed away January 30, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Cecil E. House. She is survived by four nieces and her stepdaughter. A memorial service will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday at Williams Funeral Home, Lawrenceville, Va. 2012-02-06

Raymond F. Fleck, '47 Music Education, on July 24th, 2011.  Ray was born in Norwood, MA, as one of the four children of Franklin William, and Gertrude (Bacon) Fleck.  Ray served in the US Navy Navy from 1942 to 1946 as a sonar man on Yard Mine Sweeper 266. He visited 43 islands in the South Pacific and swept the harbors for mines before the battles of Guam and Bougainville, Guadalcanal, Wake Island, Tinian, Saipan, and Eniwetok. Raymond worked as Supervisor of Music in Lebanon, New Hampshire from 1947 to 1950; as a Music Supervisor in Adams, Massachusetts from 1950 to 1953; and as a Music Teacher and Director of Audio-Visual Education in Norwood from 1953 until his retirement in 1989. Raymond was a member of the American Legion and played in the American Legion band; a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; the Massachusetts State President of the national Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; a Commander of the Massachusetts S.A.R. Continental Army Color Guard; a Norwood Town Meeting Member for many years; and a Warden for the town elections in Walpole, Massachusetts. Raymond was also very active in Masons. He was a member of DeMolay, and a recipient of the Chevalier Award; a member and Past Master of of Orient Lodge AF & AM of Norwood; a member and Past High Priest of the Hebron Royal Arch Chapter; a member and Past Commander of the Norwood Commandery; a member and Past Illustrious Master of the Hyde Park Council; a member of the York Rite Order of the Purple Cross; and a Conductor of the Taleb Grotto Band. Ray was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Norwood for over 75 years.  He served the church in many different leadership positions during that time. Ray is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann Davison (Duffie) Fleck '44. 2011-11-11

Hazel Twiss McDougald ’47, Vocal Performance, on March 26, 2010 in Greene, RI. 2011-06-03

Winifred H. Sullivan '48 Piano Performance, of Chapman Road, Keene, NH died at her home on February 23 after a brief illness with cancer. Her family was by her side. She was born in Providence, RI on December 6, 1924 the daughter of Edward and Winifred (O'Gara) Mitenius. She graduated from Aldrich High School, Warwick, RI in 1942. A talented musician, she studied piano at the New England Conservatory of Music. Although she could not complete her degree for financial reasons, she continued to play the piano throughout her life. She married Paul H. Sullivan (April 22, 1919 – Nov. 26, 2009) on September 29, 1951 in St. Matthew's Cranston, RI. The following year the couple moved to Keene, NH after Paul was asked to join the former Troy Blanket Mills. Win returned to college in her 40s, earning a bachelor's degree in English and Music from Keene State College (Keene, NH) in 1971. Continuing her studies, she received a master's degree in Education from Keene State College in 1975 and a PhD in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1986.Win held several teaching positions throughout her career. She taught composition, literature, poetry and creative writing at Keene State College and Franklin Pierce College (Rindge, NH) and classes in technical writing at the University of Massachusetts. Besides teaching, she wrote for The Business Journal in Keene and contributed to the Keene Sentinel. She composed advertising brochures and other written materials for HKS Associates, Inc. Realtors. She had several articles published in literary reviews. She joined the New Hampshire Humanities Council in the late '70s where she served as Regional Program Consultant. After retiring from teaching, she lectured in communities throughout New Hampshire on Mark Twain, E.A. Robinson, Robert Frost, and facilitated numerous book discussion programs for the Council. Win was very active in the community. She was a member of the Emblem Club and president from 1962-1963. In 1965 Win initiated the founding of the Keene Head Start Program and served on the advisory council until 1969. She continued to volunteer at Head Start until recently where the children fondly called her "Grammy Win." She belonged to the League of Women Voters and served as president from 1970 to 1972. She was a charter member of the Keene Chorale, founded in 1979, where she sat on the board of directors, wrote the program notes and sang until recently. Win served on the Keene Conservation Commission from 1982-1985 and 2000-2003. She belonged to AAUW, the American Association of University Women. She served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Bernard's Church. An avid Democrat, Win worked on state, local, and national democratic campaigns in every major election. Win especially loved music, singing, skiing, literature, traveling and her cats, Andante and Allegro. She was a die-hard New Englander and a dedicated Red Sox fan. Having grown up on the coast, she never lost her love of the ocean. (She was known to have swum in the chilly waters of Maine at age 85!) She also kept active through the Senior Shape-up Class. Win loved engaging conversation and debate and had a wonderful sense of humor. 2013-02-26

John Harrison Hicks '48 Flute Performance, on Sept 9, 2012 at his home. He was born April 7, 1921 in Duluth, Minn. He served in the Army Air Corps, Special Services. He attended The Curtis Institute, The National Conservatory of Paris, The New England Conservatory, and received a Masters Degree from Boston University. He played the flute in several orchestras, including The Boston Pops, The San Antonio Symphony, The St. Louis Symphonette, The Chautauqua Symphony and The Austin Symphony. He was professor emeritus, School of Music, The University of Texas at Austin. He was an avid motorcyclist, travelling all over the United States and Mexico. He was also a ranked tennis player, playing on a regular basis well into his 80's. He was known for his polite, gentlemanly demeanor, for his great love of teaching and for his wonderful sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his wife and childhood sweetheart, Maren Harris Hicks. He is survived by a son, Jack Hicks of Austin; a daughter, Jeanie Shaper of New Braunfels; and four grandchildren. 2012-11-27

Jeanne (Guilford) Medwid Weaver '48 Music Education, on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Havenwood Retirement Community. She was born on March 4, 1926, in Lynn, Mass., the daughter of Chester H. Guilford and Dorothy M. Wright. Jeanne was raised in Lynn, and graduated from Classical High School. She married Walter J. Medwid in August 1948 and settled in Hartford, Conn. Jeanne and Walter moved to Windsor, Conn. in 1955 and raised four children. Walter died in 1968. Jeanne was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Windsor, Conn., and the first director of its nursery school, now in its 50th year. She served in many capacities, most notably those involving children, music and service to the congregation. In 1979, Jeanne married William G. (Bill) Weaver Jr. of Bloomfield, Conn. The Weavers were active members of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Windsor for many years. After she married Bill, Jeanne worked for the Connecticut State Department of Banking. Retirement commenced in 1990 and featured years of family visits, activities and many summer weeks in Alton Bay. In 1999, Jeanne and Bill moved to Havenwood Retirement Community in Concord. Bill died in 2001. While a resident of Havenwood, Jeanne was an active member of the community, volunteering with the Pastoral Care Department. She will be remembered for her gentle and kind spirit. In recent years, she attended Concordia Lutheran Church in Concord and was a member of its adult choir. Throughout her life, with a kind bearing, she sought to impart to others the joy of music, and her ethos reaches across her family's generations and numerous friends. She is survived by her children, Karen A. Stewart of Ukiah, Calif., Kathryn J. DePree of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, W. Joseph Medwid of Lynn, Mass., and Stephen P. Medwid Sr., of West Suffield, Conn.; her stepchildren, Martha W. Teschner of Pike and Dean L. Weaver of Summerville, S.C.; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husbands, parents, brother Chester H. Guilford Jr. and stepson William G. Weaver III. 2012-02-24

Philip F. Hoffman ’48, Music Education, on August 11, 2010, in Scarborough, Maine. Philip was a public school music teacher for 32 years in Sharon, MA, and North Kingston, RI retiring in 1983. He was a graduate of Muhlenberg College and the New England Conservatory of Music . He taught music privately, enjoyed gardening, and was a superb cartoonist with a quick wit and sense of humor. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1941-1946. Donations can be made in his honor to the New England Conservatory Alumni Association. 2011-06-01

Carolyn Ann Pitt Hubbard '49, Cello Performance died peacefully at Timber Ridge Renaissance on Oct. 25, 2012 after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. She was born to Norman James and Carlie Mae (Wilkinson) Pitt in Cleveland, Ohio on January 31, 1927. She was always a student and a perfectionist. She prized education and learning all her life. She graduated from New England Conservatory of Music in 1949. She played the cello for much of her adult life. She married Charles Hubbard and lived in Indiana where they had three children. The family moved to California in 1958 and Carolyn returned to college for a masters degree in English literature and teaching credentials. She taught sixth grade for the Alhambra Unified School District until her retirement in 1987. In 1992, she moved to Eureka to be near her only grandchildren. She participated in AAUW, PEO, the Literacy Project and as a volunteer for Miranda's Rescue. She loved cats, music, and traveling. She was a devout Buddhist. She led a full life until she was forced to stop by her illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Carlie, and her husband Charles M. Hubbard. She is survived by her children Kathryn and (Charles) Stotler of Eureka, Cynthia Hubbard of Show Low, AZ, and Richard Hubbard of Marina, CA., and grandchildren, Thomas Stotler of Arcata and Haley Stotler of Sacramento. We wish to thank the staff at Renaissance and Hospice for their loving and caring support and for the expertise with which they cared for her.  2012-10-31

Wayne R. Barrington '49, French Horn Performance, on July 23, 2011. Born in Schenectady, New York to Clarence and Elizabeth Barrington, his family moved to Detroit when he was 2 and finally settled in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1932. His parents were both amateur musicians with a shared sense of humor and a passion for music. Their guidance and connections with professional members of local orchestras helped Wayne to enter the New England Conservatory for music upon his graduation from high school in Worcester in 1942. Here he began his formal studies, which would lead to a long, successful career as a horn player and educator. His education and playing were twice interrupted by his service in the United States Army. First, when he was drafted into the 66th Division General Infantry band in 1943, where he served and entertained troops in Germany and France during WWII, after narrowly escaping disaster as his ship followed the doomed SS Leopoldville, torpedoed and sunk on its way to reinforce the Battle of the Bulge on the night before Christmas, 1944. He returned to his education at the New England Conservatory, and had begun playing professionally with the San Antonio Symphony when he was called back to serve in Korea in 1950, where he later became a member of General MacArthur's headquarters band in Tokyo and had the opportunity to play for MacArthur's farewell ceremony. After completing his service with the military, Wayne continued with an inspiring musical career, which comprised various positions in many major symphonies across the country, most notably as third chair horn with the Chicago Symphony under Fritz Reiner from 1954 until 1964, and finally as principle horn with the Austin Symphony from 1966 until 1988. He was also a professor of horn at the University of Texas School of Music from 1966 until his retirement in the spring of 2001 at age 77. Wayne's kindness, generosity, sense of humor and passion for music, and excellence within himself and others was greatly recognized and highly revered by colleagues and students alike. His dedication to teaching and personal risk-taking activism for musician's rights and wages will be appreciated and celebrated for generations of musicians to come. He received the Punto Award at the IHS workshop in Denton in 1991, and in 1999 he personally endowed the Wayne R. Barrington Endowed Scholarship in Horn at The University of Texas at Austin. 2011-11-11

Robert A. Ball ’49, ’57 MM, Piano Performance, on May 1, 2011 in Concord, MA. Born on June 10, 1926 in Springfield, MA. He had been the beloved husband of Dorothy for 57 years, and the proud father of three children, Cynthia R. Oulighan, and her husband, Steve, of Concord, MA, Susan A. Bland and her husband, John, and Jonathan E. Ball and his partner, Robert Cook. He began his musical career as accompanist for concert violinist, Robert Brink, and was a music teacher at the Fernald School for the Blind in Waltham. From 1954-1992 he was a Music Specialist in the Waltham Public School System. During this time, he was also the Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church in Arlington (1954-1987) where he was the organist and the choral director. Bob was also was accompanist for the Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra.  He later moved to Marlborough, NH where he continued in Music Ministry. Bob enjoyed teaching numerous piano and organ students, many of who became professional musicians. His God, his family, his music and his greyhounds were his life. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Music Program of the First Baptist Church or to Fast Friends Greyhounds, 14 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03431. 2011-06-03

Roscoe C. "Rockie" Blunt, Jr., ’49, Popular Music, on February 10, 2011 of Kings Point, Shrewsbury, MA.  Mr. Blunt was an award winning police reporter and author. 2011-06-01

Wilma Bordealeau ’49, Piano Pedagogy, on April 15, 2010 in Goffstown, NH. Wilma taught piano privately from 1947-1997 in Cambridge, Lowell, Framingham, and Bedford Massachusetts. She played piano duo music with her husband for concerts and at restaurants and conventions.   During WWII, she served as a U.S. Navy Wave for three years as a link trainer operator. 2011-06-01

Robert L. Granger Sr. ’49 MM, Music Education on May 12, 2011 in St. Louis Park, MN. Bob was born in West Union, IA on August 18, 1921. His college career at the Univ. of Northern Iowa was interrupted in 1942 for a 4-year tour of duty in the US Army. He was attached as a trumpet player to the official Army Ground Forces Band at Ft. Knox, KY. Later the band moved to the European Theatre. On VE Day, he represented the US Army by playing taps on the rubble of the bombed-out Coventry Cathedral in England. Following the war, Bob finished his BA degree in music and started his teaching career as Band Director in Webster City and Independence, IA. Continuing in music, he received an MM from NEC. He later served on two college music faculties: Idaho State University in Pocatello, and Arizona State University in Tempe. Going back to college, he made a change to Educational Administration and received an MA and Ph. D at the University of MN. After serving as a public school administrator, Robert was a professor at California State University at Los Angeles, Kean University in New Jersey, and New York University. He authored one college textbook, "Educational Leadership." Bob enjoyed a long retirement in Plymouth, MN where his personal interests included music, gardening and traveling. 2011-06-03

1950s

Joseph W. Bachak, Jr. '50, of Merritt Island, Fla., formerly of Greenfield Township, Pa., died Tuesday, February 26, 2013, following an illness. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, the former Pauline H. Gaumont. Born October 27, 1928, in Mayfield, Pa., he was the son of the late Joseph Sr. and Wanda (Poplick) Bachak. He was a 1946 graduate of Mayfield High School, attended the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music and received his Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music from Boston University. Joseph inherited his love for music from his father, Joseph Sr., who was an accomplished drummer and leader of several local bands. "Junior" Bachak accompanied his father at parties and weddings throughout the area and after graduating from high school, joined the military for two years on active duty. As a young talented trumpeteer, he was invited to join the Army band and toured Europe to help entertain his fellow troops. After his stint with the Army, he attended college and eventually landed a teaching position in Maryland. He would move on to teach music in Washington, D.C., Pitman, New Jersey, and in the Western Wayne and Lakeland school districts in Northeast Pennsylvania. Joseph's ability to teach a child how to play a musical instrument and how to read music was unmatched. Thousands of students can thank him for their special ability to appreciate the art of "making music." For more than 60 years, Joseph entertained crowds with his trumpet talent, from playing with his 5-piece band for local weddings and affairs, to playing with a 25-piece big band entertaining Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy at their inaugural balls. He held the first trumpet chair accompanying such notables as Frankie Avalon, Bobby Vinton, Sammy Davis Jr., Liberace, the Mills Brothers, Arthur Godfrey, Rudy Vallee, the Lennon Sisters and Louis Armstrong. When Joseph wasn't entertaining audiences, he was teaching young people his craft. He was proficient in every musical instrument and encouraged his students to try many instruments before focusing on one. He was particularly proud of the musical talent he helped create at the Western Wayne and Lakeland school districts. The marching bands and accompanying drill teams he created in both districts were the best in the area. Joseph brought the Washington Redskins Fight Song to Lakeland and made it a tradition at the Chiefs' football games. The Jazz Band he and fellow music teacher Frank Santoro assembled at Lakeland High School held a special place in his heart. 2013-03-05

Susan Hight Denny, '50 who starred on Broadway in the original production of "Guys & Dolls" and later taught musical theater vocal performance for 15 years at American University, died on Sunday at the age of 84. In addition to playing the lead role of "Sarah Brown" in "Guys & Dolls" in both the Broadway and the subsequent national tour she also had a featured role in the Broadway musical, "Two's Company," starring Bette Davis and appeared in the original productions of "South Pacific" and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." A native of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, she graduated from Colby College in 1948 and from the New England Conservatory two years later, after which she sang with many of the premier bands in the Boston area before making the decision to relocate to the bright lights and bigger stage of New York. Six weeks to the day after her arrival in town, she simultaneously received three job offers: as a singer with the Paul Whiteman band, as a nurse in the Broadway musical "South Pacific," and the one she initially accepted – as a "flapper" in the Broadway musical "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," choreographed by Agnes de Mille. After stints in both of those musicals, a season as singer/soloist on the "Don Ameche Show" plus other television work including as a soloist on "The Colgate Comedy Hour" (where she sang with both Paul Whiteman and Sigmund Romberg), she went on to play lead roles in musicals "Kiss Me Kate" and "Showboat" at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ. She was then cast to sing her first featured duet in the Bette Davis revue, "Two's Company", choreographed by Jerome Robbins, followed by her landing the coveted romantic lead in Frank Loesser's Broadway production of "Guys & Dolls." While her musical reputation was fi rmly entrenched on Broadway, Denny's connection to the Washington, DC area was serendipitous. When the New York fire marshal discovered code violations at the 46th Street Theater where "Guys & Dolls" was playing and ordered it closed for repairs, the Broadway company relocated to the National Theater in Washington, D.C. for six weeks. It was there that her future husband, Robert Denny, saw her onstage for the first time. As a reporter for the Washington Times-Herald (which later became the Washington Post) he managed to secure the assignment to cover the cast costume party. They met and were married the next year, settling in Chevy Chase, MD, for more than forty years. Robert Denny was a novelist, filmmaker and citizen activist who became well-known for founding the political action committee, Fairness In Taxation, to spearhead a successful Montgomery County tax revolt. He died in 2000.
Susan was drawn back into musical theater when she was asked to direct community theater productions in the 1970's throughout the D.C. metropolitan area. She then taught voice and musical theater performance for many years both at American University and privately, mentoring and inspiring hundreds of students, many of whom went on to careers in music and theater. "I owe an enormous debt and a great deal of my career to Susan Hight Denny," wrote former student Gaines Hall, who has enjoyed a 20-year career as a professional singer and actor in Germany. "Her performance coaching has been the key to my winning many roles and her healthy vocal technique has gotten me through more than a few shows in which I was so sick that any singer without the 'Sue Denny Touch' would have had to cancel the show." Paul Micsan, another former student, said, "Sue not only taught me how to sing on stage, but how to own that stage. To this day, I never walk onto a stage without hearing her encouraging and masterful words in my head." 2013-03-07

Richard R. Blanchard '50, Vocal Pedagogy, of Kingston, died September 23, 2012, after a brief illness, but between that death date and January 26, 1916, there was a remarkably long, involved and interesting life. A Brockton native, he attended the New England Conservatory of Music and remained a music lover all his 96 years, singing on key well into his octogenerian years. He was predeceased by his wife, Frances. A railroad dispatcher, he retired with an interest in trains that led him to be deeply involved in a museum in Maine. A loyal member of the Kingston Baptist Church on Main Street, he promoted all sorts of charities and his church to the end. A Navy veteran of World War II, he distinguished himself in service to his country and was deafened by the "big guns". Recently, he got a modern tech hearing aid and smiled, hearing perfectly for the first time. A service of celebration of a long life will be held at the Kingston Baptist Church on Sunday, October 7th at 2:00 PM, to which all are invited. A subsequent sprinkling of his ashes will take place after the service at his home at 10 Westerly Avenue, Kingston. Invitations have been sent literally cross-country to friends and an overflow attendance is expected. Rev. Joshua Jinno, Pastor and Rev. Dr. Irving Beveridge, Pastor Emeritus will conduct the service of memorial and celebration. He is survived by nephews and nieces. 2012-10-03

John B. Cantrell '50, Music Education, on March 4, 2012.  He was a retired Lt. Colonel, in the US Air Force.  Born in Spokane, WA, and raised in Cambridge, MA. He was the son of Mary A. (Carney) and Cecil W. Cantrell, both deceased. He served with the 5th Armored Div. (US Army), landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, 5 major campaign battles, received 2 Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. Entered Harvard College and New England Conservatory of Music, BA and MA in Education. Reactivated to U.S. Air Force, 2nd Lt. and retired as Lt. Colonel. Selected to serve Congressman W. Dickinson and aide to President Nixon. Special Systems Analyst at U.S. Air Force Systems Command. Retired in 1985 to "cruise the world" with wife, Barbara. Moved to Florida to play golf and enjoy big-band cruises. John played multiple instruments with local and national dance bands, marching bands and symphony orchestras. John was predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy E. Kearney, in 1994, and his daughter, Claudia C. Fanning, in 2010. Also predeceased are his siblings, Helen, Marlboro, MA.; Virginia, Aiken, SC.; Cecil W. Jr., (Sonny), Kissimmee, Fl.; and Paul, Nashua, NH. Survived by his wife, Barbara H. (Judge) Cantrell of Indian Harbour Beach; daughter, Leslie C. Schoeffel (Clay); and grandchildren, Clay, Jr., Benjamin and Paige. A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, March 9 from 10:00 - 11:00 am, with a service to begin at 11:00 a.m., at Beach Funeral Home, Indian Harbour Beach. He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA at a later date. 2012-03-07

Richard Dean Blair '50 DP, 56 DP, Oboe Performance retired Professor Emeritus from The University of Texas School of Music, passed away on December 2, 2011. He was born in Detroit, MI on May 22, 1927. His musical training was with Marcel Tabuteau of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Fernand Gillet of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He received a Diploma in Oboe in 1951, a B.M. in Applied Oboe from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston in 1956, and an M.Mus. in Music Education from The University of Texas at Austin in 1966. Dick's tenure at UT spanned 41 years, in which he lovingly shared the beauty of music with students of all levels as they gained skills in oboe and chamber music performance. He encouraged students "to listen and to really hear". His love of teaching spread throughout the campus and attracted non-music major recorder students as well. A consummate musician who knew the real meaning of making music, he shared an open heart and was an inspiration to all who knew him. At various times, he served as the Assistant Dean of Fine Arts, Acting and Associate Chairman of the Department of Music, and other administrative positions. He also was an Assistant Director of The University of Texas Longhorn Band. The famed Script Texas band formation was his creation, and, upon his retirement in 1995, he was invited to conduct the National Anthem at the UT-TCU football game where his Script Texas was to be featured. In typical Dick humor, he remarked "67,000 people came to see me conduct. Some of them might have come to see the game!" Remember whenever you see the Script Texas on the football field, it is just Mr. Blair saying "Hello!" His performance career included the UT Woodwind Quintet, various other music department ensembles, and engagements with orchestras throughout Texas. He was English hornist with the San Antonio Symphony for four years, and served for over 20 years as the Principal Oboist of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Dick's heartfelt passion was buying antiques and adding to his large collection of antique music boxes. Other joys included creating handcrafted items in his wood-working shop, spending time at his homes in Fredericksburg, TX and Silver Plume, CO, and traveling to France with a group of oboists. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Amy, daughter and son-in-law Nissa and Aaron Shakocius, granddaughter Anja Shakocius, son and daughter-in-law Brian Blair and Muriel Lynne Bartholomae, grandsons Benjamin and Peter Blair, and sister and brother-in-law Lois and Ted Hitchcock. The family would like to express their gratitude to the owners, staff, and residents at South Austin Assisted Living for their exceptional care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Texas Satsang Society, Austin ECKANKAR Center, 223 W Anderson Lane B-206, Austin, TX 78752, or The New England Conservatory's Annual Fund, 290 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115. 2012-01-23

David E. Chapman ’50, Clarinet Performance, on July 3, 2010. 2011-06-01

John E. Cox ’50, Vocal Performance.  John was born on July 17, 1923 and passed away on November 11, 2010. John was last known to be living in Arvada, Colorado. 2011-06-01

Norman Eddy Magnan '51, Music Education, of Phoenix, passed away on Thursday, January 17th, 2013. Born in Warwick, Rhode Island, the youngest son of Edmond C. and Albina Josephine (Vincent) Magnan, he lived in Phoenix most of his life. He was the husband of the late Margaret (Hendrickson) Magnan. In 1951, he graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music, and enjoyed a lifetime career as a professional musician in the Valley. Additionally he was the owner of Norm's Barber Shop on 16th and Indian School. During World War II, he served in the US Army as a combat infantryman with the 27th Infantry Division on Okinawa, then as a trombone bandsman in Japan. He is survived by his two daughters, Denise Mason of Reedley, California, and Michelle Magnan of Phoenix; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Edmond C. "Pat" Magnan and the late Horace E. "Woz" Magnan. He was a very kind man who always had a joke and was loved by many. He will be dearly missed. 2013-02-13

Olive Charlotte Loomer '51, Voice Performance was the wife of the late Earle R. "Dick" Loomer Jr., to whom she was married for 54 years, daughter of the late Margaret and Vincent Taccetta of Portsmouth, N.H., and siser of the late Vincent (Bud) Taccetta and the late Sandra L. Matthews, of Portsmouth, N.H.  Olive graduated from Portsmouth High School, class of 1945, and from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in voice performance (coloratura soprano), where she majored in classical music and opera. She was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, a national music sorority. She could sing in eight languages and sang with local orchestras, at bond rallies and at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard during World War II, where she would often accompany herself at the piano. She had a natural gift of being able to play the piano by ear. She also studied guitar and taught folk guitar for five years at adult education in Merrick, N.Y., where she and her family resided for 27 years. She wrote the words and music to many songs and had a brief walk-on part in the movie "Lost Boundaries."

Roland Stycos '51, Clarinet Performance passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at his home. He was born on November 30, 1928 in Saugerties, NY, the son of Stephen and Clotilda (Mayone) Stycos. He served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army. He received a music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and attended Columbia University. He was a member of several symphony orchestras coast to coast. He taught music at Ball State University, Trenton State University, and Northland College. He retired from Kalamazoo Public Schools in 1995. He was a member of St. Ambrose Parish, where he was active in music, played the flute, and sang in the choir. He was an avid fisherman and loved the outdoors and photography. He volunteered with many local organizations such as Peer Prevention Players, Meals On Wheels, and was a reader at the Late Night Theater at the Juvenile Home. He wrote several articles and reviews for the Kalamazoo Gazette. Roland was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Homer, and his first wife, Phyllis Stycos, on December 7, 1996. Surviving are his wife, Janice Williamson Stycos, whom he married July 24, 2009; his children, David (Marie) Stycos of Grand Rapids, DeAnna (Ben) Judson of Reading, MI; granddaughter, Isabella Stycos of Reading, MI; Janice's children, Merideth (Troy) Drudge of Mishawaka, IN, Jonathan Williamson of Baltimore, MD, and Sheila Lax of Grand Rapids, MI. 2012-10-22

Priscilla D. (Caswell) Daniels '51, Piano Pedagogy, on Oct. 8, 2011.  Born in Lynn, Priscilla graduated from Swampscott High School in 1947 and the New England Conservatory of Music in 1951, where she earned her degree in Piano Forte, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She received her Mass State Teaching Certification from Boston University in 1952. She continued to pursue a degree in Psychology at Northeastern University 1971-72 and later completed graduate classes in poetry and writing at Harvard University Extension School. She was an active member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the Cohasset Womens Club, Garden Club and Historical Society and past president of AXR and the Norwood Womens Club. A gifted musician, Priscilla played piano for Junes Dance Studio in Lynn and taught piano at the Lincoln Public Schools, and out of her homes in Norwood and Cohasset. In her middle years, she publically shared her improvisational talent playing popular dinner music at weddings and restaurants such as the Parker House in Boston, the Whiton House in Hingham and Hugos Lighthouse in Cohasset. For many years she directed the childrens choir at the Second Congregational Church in Cohasset. Priscilla enjoyed reading, antiquing throughout New England, and designing and decorating Colonial homes; she collaborated with her husband, Ed, on the design of homes he built on Lantern Lane in Cohasset. Her passion for writing and reading poetry led her to improvising piano music to accompany her poems. Priscilla cherished her family, drawing her greatest joy from attending her grandchildrens birthday parties, backyard football games, family barbecues, musicals, band concerts and graduation ceremonies. 2011-11-11

Gene Lacritz '51, Clarinet Performance of San Antonio died Friday, May 18, 2012. Born in Salem, Massachusetts, he came to San Antonio as a graduate from the New England Conservatory of Music to become a member of the San Antonio Symphony. While with the Symphony he learned the retail business and became associated with Wolff & Marx. Gene went on to become Manager of Frost Bros. at North Star Mall where he will be remembered as a familiar face amongst the clientele. He was later appointed company Executive Vice President, while continuing his passion for music as Conductor with the San Antonio Pops. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Suzy and his later wife, Shirley. Gene is survived by children, Jeff Lacritz, John Lacritz, Laura Lacritz Eguren and husband, Javier, Lee Frankel and wife, Carmen, Larry Frankel, Lynn Grayson and husband, Charles; numerous grandchildren; sister, Shirley London; and many nieces and nephews. 2012-05-29

Miriam L. Bednarz ’51, ’52, Piano Performance on April 6, 2011. 2011-06-03

Ming-Ming Shen '51 DP Violin Performance, on June 12, 2011 in Ithaca, NY.  Born in Shanghai, China she was one of four musical siblings, all of whom went on to professional careers in music.. Ming-Ming married the late Shan-Fu Shen in 1950, and graduated from the New England Conservatory with a Diploma in Violin the following year. She studied under RIchard Burgin. They subsequently moved to Cheverly, Maryland, where Ming-Ming taught violin and continued her studies at the Peabody Conservatory, before settling in Ithaca, New York, in 1961. Ming-Ming taught privately in Ithaca, establishing a music studio, and teaching violin, viola and piano, as well as Solfège. She also enjoyed playing chamber music locally. Her interests extended to early music, where she explored consort music, performing and studying treble viol with gamba virtuoso and pedagogue, John Hsu. Ming-Ming was principal viola for the Cornell Symphony Orchestra for many years. Highlights of her activities there include the Fauré Requiem under Nadia Boulanger in 1962, and the premiere of Karel Husa's Apotheosis of This Earth under the composer in 1972. 2011-11-11

Berj Zamkochian ’51, ’53 MM, Organ Performance, on February 23, 2004, in Boston, MA.  Berj Zamkochian had a successful career of international stature.  His many engagements and honors include his appointment as organist to the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops in 1959, numerous best-selling recordings, and performances across the US and abroad.  In 1965, he was given the title of Titular Organist of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy, by Pope Paul VI.  Mr. Zamkochian was then appointed University Organist in Residence at Boston College where he inaugurated a series of organ recitals at the Jesuit School.  He performed for six American presidents, the Pope, the British Royal Family, and the Imperial Family of Japan. Zamkochian founded the Gomidas Organ fund, which donates organs to Armenia and Armenian churches throughout the world.  As an organist, Mr. Zamkochian gave numerous inaugural concerts and gave the dedicatory recitals on some of most important new organs in North American and abroad. These dedicatory performances included organs in Armenia, Japan, Venice, the US, and Germany.  In 1980, he was the first nonnative Armenian to be granted membership to the Armenian Academy of Arts and Sciences, and in 1983, was awarded the Bendros Atamian Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts.  His final performance was in November of 2003, when he performed for the Pope in Rome. Mr. Zamkochian lived in Boston, MA. 2011-05-20

Lester S. Darche '52, of Claremont, Calif., formerly of East Bridgewater, Mass., passed away April 3 at age 85 after a period of failing health. He was born in Brockton, Mass., brought up in Whitman, Mass., and East Bridgewater, son of the late Philip H. and Marion S. (Cook) Darche. Lester was a graduate of East Bridgewater High School, Class of 1945. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and achieved his masters degree in History at Bridgewater State College. Lester served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1945-1949 with tours of duty in the Pacific and Mediterranean. First employed as a music teacher in Calais, Maine, he later taught music, history and geography at Atlantic Junior High School in Quincy for 34 years. Lester was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Sierra Club and the Mass. Audubon Society. In his younger years, he enjoyed fishing, travel and photography. He is survived by his daughter, Patrice Thorne of California; his brother, Philip Darche of Arizona; and his sister, Janet Salard of Louisiana. All services were private. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.blanchardfc.com. 2013-05-02

Alfred Hoose '52 M.M., Pedagogy of Theory, of Wheeling, and a longtime former resident of the Boston, MA area, died August 29, 2012 in his 94th year. He was a professional musician, composer, organist, choral director and college professor. 2012-10-03

Constance Cleveland '52 Vocal Performance, on Oct. 12, 2011 after a long illness. Born Oct. 22, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Bettina (Starratt) Cleveland. She was a graduate of Briarcliff Junior College and the New England Conservatory of Music. Ms. Cleveland formerly taught piano and voice prior to her illness. She is survived by her two sisters and their husbands; Joan and John Taylor of Ohio and Bettina and Robert Sechrest of Wellesley.  Rather than flowers, the family suggest that memorial donations be directed to the Village Church, 2 Central St., Wellesley, MA 02482 or to the New England Conservatory of Music, 290 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115.  2011-11-09

Mary Lou (Burns) Frates '53 Vocal Performance, on Sunday April 15, 2012, in Barrington, RI. She was the wife of Dr. Richard E. Frates, Sr. Born in Boston, MA, she was the daughter of the late Arthur V. and Anna D. (McLaughlin) Burns. Mary Lou was a communicant of St. Luke's Church, a graduate of New England Conservatory and received a Master's Degree from Villa Schifanoia in Florence, Italy. She is also survived by her children: Anne T. Frates and Richard Michalski, Dr. Mary C. Frates and Dr. John Parziale, Dr. Richard E. Frates Jr. and Dr. Mary, Attorneys Patricia G. Noone and Gerald, James M. Frates and Dr.Elizabeth, one sister Betty Ann Holmes, eleven grandchildren, and one great- grandchild. She was the sister of the late Arthur V. Burns, Jr.  2012-04-18

Sadie S. Appelstein '53 Piano Performance, on Sunday, January 8, 2012 in Salem Hospital. Born in Malden the daughter of the Samuel Eva Schlager, she graduated from Revere High School with honors class of 1931 and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. She had resided in Marblehead since 1954. She was a piano teacher for more than 70 years. She was a past president of the Swampscott-Marblehead Bnai Brith and the Elson Club of New England Conservatory of Music, a past vice president of the North Shore Piano Guild, a member of Hadassah, the Jewish Rehabilitation Center Auxiliary in Swampscott and the Sisterhood of Cong. Shirat Hayam in Swampscott. Sadie spent all her years enjoying the love and company of her family and many, many friends. Beloved wife of the late Samuel Appelstein. Dear daughter of the late Samuel and Eva Schlager. Devoted mother of Janet Williams and Martin and his wife Jo Anne Appelstein. Loving sister of the late Saul and his wife Rose Schlager, Joseph and his wife, Beatrice Schlager. Cherished grandmother of Scott, Raymond and his companion Rebecca, Earl and his wife Barbara, Seth and his fianc Riva, Eve Williams, Jeffrey Appelstein and his wife Kim, Eric Appelstein and his wife Karen, great-grandmother of Samuel and Haley Williams, Dr. Clarice and her husband Brad Baumgartner, Leigh, Joshua, Brooke and Jacob Appelstein. She also leaves many beloved relatives, including Sams family. Expressions of sympathy in her memory may be donated to the Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., #B102, Danvers, MA 01923 or the New England Conservatory of Music, 290 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115. 2012-01-23

James Hilton Luce '53, Vocal Pedagogy, on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 in Lake West Medical Center in Willoughby, OH.  He was a resident of Ashtabula, OH, for 48 years.  A well-loved guitar teacher and singer, he taught for 45 years at The Cleveland Music School Settlement, serving as head of the Guitar Department. Mr. Luce also taught at Baldwin Wallace College, in public schools throughout Northeasterm Ohio, and at many other community arts centers while maintaining an impressive performing schedule.  The son of Amos and Helen (nee St. John) Luce, James was born April 4, 1927, in Ashtabula, and continued to live there on and off throughout his life. He formerly lived in Bay Village. He received a bachelor's of arts degree in philosophy from Dartmouth College and a bachelor's of music degree in Vocal Pedagogy from The New England Conservatory. A Veteran, he served in the US. Navy after the Korean War.
Survivors are his first cousins, Milton Luce, Shirley Nappi, JoAnn Tickner, Ralph and Ray Baker; their children: numerous second cousins; and longtime companion, Bonnie Savage of Willoughby. He was preceded in death by his parents, Amos Luce and Helen (St. John) Luce; aunt, Mary Ellen Ingham; and a baby brother.  2012-03-26

Bette Haibeck '53, Piano Performance, on March 13, 2012.  2012-04-10

Carolyn P. Geissler '54, '62 M.M, Music Education, on October 3, 2010 in Dunstable, MA. 2011-06-01

Charles G. Smith, Jr. '55 M.M. Theoretical Studies, on June 21, 2011 at his home in Sun City West, Arizona.  He was a lifelong church musician, beginning as a choirboy at Trinity Church, NYC, and retiring at age 85 as organist and music director at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Sun City. Also a teacher and pilot, he earned bachelor's degrees from Harvard University and the University of New Mexico, a Master's in Music from the New England Conservatory, and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for music study at Trinity College, London, England. He enjoyed sailing, skiing, tennis and golf, and shared his love of music with his wife and many choirs. 2011-11-11

Stanley W. Tkacz '55 Clarinet Performance, on July 2, 2011. He was born in Manchester on Dec. 30, 1936, to Joseph and Madelyn (Jedrysik) Tkacz. He was educated in the local school system and was a graduate of Bishop Bradley High School. Prior to retirement, he had been a member of the New Hampshire Army National Guard for 38 years. Most recently, he had been with the Stark Joint Force Headquarters and previously had been with the 39th Army Band.
He loved to read and watch televised sports. He was an extremely talented musician, having played the saxophone, clarinet and flute. Above all else, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. 2011-11-11

Donna M. Schoep '56 Vocal Pedagogy, 80, of Denton, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2012. She was born on June 23, 1931 in Ezanston, IL to Homer and Celeste Rupp Swainey. She attended the New England Conservatory of Music and was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church.She married Arthur P. Schoep in 1958; he preceded her in death in 2001. Donna is survived by her daughters, Sandra and Leila Michelle Schoep; son, Laurence Schoep; sister, Roxanna McAlvany; and 2 grandchildren, Jonah and Micah. She is preceded in death by her husband and her parents. 2012-11-29

Anne (Gammons) Durant '56 of Cohasset on July 11, 1991, who sang alto with the Hingham Civic Orchestra during the 1950s and 1960s, died of an aneurysm yesterday at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was 54. Born in Boston, Mrs. Durant graduated from Concord Academy in 1954. 2012-05-09

Dorothea Georges Pliatska '56, '58 M.M., Vocal Performance, died Saturday, August 11, 2012 in Boston. She was born in Haverhill, Mass., on May 1, 1935, the daughter of the late Ellias C. Georges and Christine (Dantos) Georges of Newburyport, Mass. She attended the Whitehead School of Drama and the School of Performing Arts, both in New York City. She later attended Newburyport High School, graduating in 1952. She studied piano in Amesbury with the late Mary Ann Norman, the much admired musician and teacher, who became her life-long mentor and friend. She received her Bachelor’s of Music from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1956 and her Master’s of Music jointly from the New England Conservatory and Harvard University in 1958. At Harvard, she studied Classical and Shakespearean theatre, while at the New England Conservatory she studied voice under Marie Sundelius, a celebrated former Metropolitan Opera singer, and studied opera with Boris Goldovsky, then-director of the opera department at the Tanglewood Music Center, and Sarah Caldwell, the well-known opera conductor and impresario. She was a member of Delta Omicron, the international music honor society, serving as president of the New England Conservatory chapter from 1954 to 1956. After receiving her Master’s, she taught music for 5 years at the Tuxedo Park School, a private boarding school in Tuxedo Park, New York, where she was also the resident librarian. In 1963 she moved to Turkey, where she was appointed to the faculty of Robert College, the American Women’s College in Istanbul; she served as chair of the music department there from 1967 to 1971. From 1965 to 1971 she also served as inspector of music programs at foreign schools for the Turkish Ministry of Education. A member of the Turkish-American Association of University Professors, she was secretary from 1969 to 1971. She married Yoti Pliatska, a businessman, in 1968 and gave birth to her son Christos Pliatska in 1970. While residing in Turkey she traveled widely in Europe and North Africa and, later, she traveled with her husband throughout Turkish Anatolia, visiting remote villages and sites of historical importance. In 1975, she returned to the United States with her husband and son, settling in the Newburyport area. For 7 years she was choir director at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Newburyport and, for many years, later was the music director at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Amesbury. While at Sacred Heart, she organized an annual choir festival for several years that brought choirs across the area together to perform in Amesbury. In 1986, she was appointed to the board of the Massachusetts Arts Lottery Commission. She was also member of the Newburyport Music Club, serving as president in 1988. In 1990, she led the Sacred Heart choir on a trip to Rome, where they sang high mass for Pope John Paul II on the second Sunday of Easter at St. Peter’s Basilica. While in Rome, she also conducted the choir in a concert performance at the St. Ignatius Basilica given in honor of the Pope that featured classical and religious music. She was founder and musical director of the Apollo Consortium, a vocal group that specialized in Renaissance music and performed in the Merrimack Valley for 13 years. She was also a dedicated teacher and mentor, giving private voice lessons at her home studio in Amesbury for almost 30 years. Ms. Pliatska was an accomplished and gifted vocalist in her own right. Her career began in earnest at age 12 when she sang the role of Gretel in the opera Hansel and Gretel for the Children’s Opera Company on NBC television as part of NBC’s First Experimental Program Series. A mezzo soprano, she continued to perform throughout her career, giving concerts both in Turkey and the United States. Reviewing a concert she gave in Istanbul in 1966, a prominent Turkish music critic remarked on “the beautifully and carefully planned program” that “showed not only the quality of her voice but the range and color which she could achieve with great facility.” “Although small in stature,” he continued, “she dominated the stage from her entry until the end, which, for this critic, came all too soon.” She is pre-deceased by her husband Yoti Christos Pliatska. She is survived by her mother Christine (Dantos) Georges of Newburyport and by her son Christos Peter Pliatska of Omaha, Nebraska. 2012-10-03

Marilyn G. "Lynn" (Mlejnek Pisarczyk) Creamer '57 Vocal Performance, on July 15, 2011 after a long illness. Born March 10, 1938 in Worcester, Lynn graduated from Classical High School in 1955 and attended the New England Conservatory of Music where she studied voice, piano, and violin. Lynn enjoyed driving the bus for Varney's Garage in East Brookfield for 41 years, caringly transporting generations of children throughout the Brookfields and Spencer Schools to school, trips and sporting events. Lynn also worked for the Fair Retail Department Store in Spencer for 19 years and for Petruzzi's Farm Stand in East Brookfield. Lynn enjoyed socializing, meeting new people and making friends. She had a beautiful voice and loved music; performing as a soloist and singing with the church choir. She cherished time with her family and her forever friend, Pat Amster. Her proudest accomplishment was that of raising her three sons: Stephen, James and John Pisarczyk and being their devoted and loving Mom. 2011-11-11

William Ferry Jr. ’57, ’59, Vocal Performance, on August 21, 2010, in Bordentown, NJ. 2011-06-01

Edna Anna Comerchero '58, Flute Performance, beautiful and devoted wife, loving and nurturing mother, passionate and inspiring flute teacher, and eternally playful and blissful soul, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2012, surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren.Born on January 13, 1932 to Andrew W. and Lula Simonds in Austin, Texas, Edna Anna Simonds grew up in Denver, Colorado, and, as a child with her older siblings Dick and Norma, enjoyed camping, skiing, ice-skating, bike-riding, sketching, making home-made root beer, and swinging from willow tree branches while calling like Tarzan. She fell in love with music at an early age, learning to sing melodious songs by the campfire as a Brownie and as a Girl Scout that she recalled perfectly years later and taught to her children and grandchildren while driving in the car or baking in the kitchen at a cabin in Bodega Bay, which she loved. From singing choral music at school, Edna advanced to the piano, beginning by playing six-hand pieces with her two siblings to the delight of audiences before becoming an accomplished pianist on her own. Her true musical love, however, was for the flute, and Edna's musical career was long, gifted, distinguished, and blessed by her wonderful students whom she loved as if they were her own children. Edna's training included a B.M. at the University of Colorado, a Diplome de Solfeggio from the Paris Conservatory of Music where she studied under the French master Marcel Moyse, courses at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and a M.M. from the New England Conservatory of Music. She worked passionately as a flute instructor at the University of Iowa from 1957 to 1958, at California State University Sacramento from 1965-75, as a member of the Sacramento Symphony Performing Group for several years, and as a private flute and piano teacher. Countless numbers of Edna' students earned Command Performances and other awards of merit, and her outstanding students include Carol Wincenc, Gary Woodward, Harvey Solzberger, and Jerry Pritchard to name but a few. Edna counted teaching her students, and playing with the Flute Delites, with the Camellia City Flute Choir, and with other ensembles as among the great highlights of her life. While in Paris, Edna met the other great love of her life, Victor Comerchero, whom she married on August 29, 1960. Theirs was a marriage of exceptional beauty, joy, devotion, and completeness, spanning fifty-two years, in homes which Victor landscaped like Monet's gardens, and which were surrounded year round with roses, camellias, azaleas, irises, and other beautiful flowers that signified their love for each other. Whether traveling through Europe, listening to classical music, raising their four boys, sitting at the dinner table, relaxing at Bodega Bay, or delighting in their grandchildren, Edna and Victor were companions whose eyes gleamed at the sight of each other and whose hearts often burst forth in musical laughter at their shared bliss. Preceded in death by her son Steven, Edna is survived by her husband Victor, sons Dave, Vincent, and Marco, daughters-in-law Veronika and Annette, grandchildren Eva and Nicholas, her siblings Norma Griggs and Dick Simonds, and numerous nieces and nephews. Edna was so grateful for the life she lived. She is now playing in heaven with a choir of angels. 2012-10-31

Gilbert "Gil" Samuel Williams '58 Vocal Performance, of Spring Hill, FL, died September 30, 2012, in Marblehead, MA. He was born on August 9, 1929, in Marblehead, the youngest child of John Thomas and Harriet Alice (Pedrick) Williams. He attended Marblehead Schools and graduated with the class of 1947. He served in the U.S. Navy, attended the New England Conservatory of Music and studied opera in Milan, Italy. Opera was his life-long passion. He lived in New York City for many years and worked in the import industry using his fluency in Italian. He ended his career working for Singer Products Co. as an area sales manager in electronics. While in Florida, he was active in many Democratic Party activities. He is survived by his brother Ralph Williams of Farmington Hills, Michigan, and his sister Jean (Williams) Shepard of Marblehead. He is also survived by numbers nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his partner of thirty-five years David Malloy of Spring Hill, his parents, his sisters Eleanor (Williams) Tucker and Hattie (Williams) Fader and his brothers John Francis Williams, Russell Pedrick Williams, and Donald Randall Williams all of Marblehead. At Gils request, there will be no services. Family and friends will have a celebration of his life at a later date. If desired, donations in Gils name may be made to the American Cancer Society or another cancer organization of your choice. 2012-10-04

Jerome J. Sadlo '58 Trumpet Performance on October 22, 2011. Mr. Sadlo was the Band Director of Lockport High School from 1967 to 1989. He was the father of Jacqueline Goodison, Gail (Paul) Anderson and Pamela; grandfather of nine; great-grandfather of one; son of the late James and the late Marie Sadlo; brother of Charles (late Joanie) and the late James (Adele). 2011-11-11

Carol S. Wolff '58, Theoretical Studies on June 18, 2011. Born on March 2, 1938, the first of three daughters of Rev. Earl W. and Hertha Douglas, Carol grew up in Newton and showed an early talent for playing the piano. After graduating from Newton High School in 1956, she studied at the New England Conservatory and Lesley College. Carols life was shaped by her love of music. In over forty years as a piano teacher, she touched the lives of hundreds of Newton children at her piano bench. In 1962 Carol married Dr. Peter H. Wolff. She was always devoted to her family and home in Newton Highlands where their four children grew up. In addition to her music, Carol was a gifted homemaker who baked delicious breads daily, knit beautiful sweaters, wove blankets, stitched and embroidered leather coats, built her own clavichord, gardened, and raised puppies. Carol was gentle, beautiful, kind, and creative in many ways. She was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her. 2011-11-11

Claire Stevens ’58, Vocal Performance, on January 25, 2011. She was a native of Syracuse, New York, and a graduate of Nottingham High School where she met her husband John B. Stevens who she married on August 1, 1959. Cecelia graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston in 1958 and attended Harvard College for her English courses. She raised a family of four children with her husband in Auburn and Rochester, New York over fifteen years before moving to the Eastern Shore on Maryland. The family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1991. She is survived by her husband, John Stevens and their three daughters, Jennifer and her husband, David Van Dorpe, Holly and her husband, Bill Wright, Trina and her husband, Steve Blazek and a son, John III and his wife, Caroline. She has a sister, Suzanne Canfield, residing in Portland Oregon. 2011-06-03

Margaret "Margo" E. (Shea) Smith '59, Piano Performance, of Lowell, loving mother, treasured grandmother, loyal friend, and devoted musician, died peacefully on January 19, 2012, in Lowell, from complications of COPD, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Marlette, Michigan on February 1, 1935, a daughter of the late Beulah and Robert Rudd. Margaret was raised on the family farm and received her early education through the Marlette school system. Aspiring to pursue a musical career, she attended Michigan State University, the Chicago School of Music, and the New England Conservatory of Music, where she graduated in 1959. Settling in Arlington, MA, to raise her family, Margaret shared her gift of musical talent by teaching at Berklee School of Music, Boston, and as a member of many bands playing in the greater Boston area during the 1960s and 1970s. Mrs. Smith was also a talented singer and recorded many jingles that are still well known today, including the Batman theme song, and catchy tunes for Filene's, and Friendly's. Later in her career, she moved to Lowell to be near her children and grandchildren. Margaret used her musical gifts to teach piano lessons and had many devoted students. Later on, Margaret continued to express her passion for music through her work as the long-time Organist and Musical Director for the Pawtucket Congregational Church in Lowell. She was a devout, dedicated member of the Church where she made many wonderful friends and enjoyed a rich social and spiritual life well into her golden years. Mrs. Smith loved to share her music and was always ready to engage in a musical discussion, start a sing-a-long, or play the piano. Her many interests included solving the New York Times crossword puzzles, playing scrabble, cooking healthy foods, watching old movies, and reading anything she could get her hands on. Margaret was always fast to smile and loved to laugh! Most of all, she loved to spend time sharing her passion for the arts with her cherished grandchildren and also attended many of their sporting and school events over the years. Married to the late Cornelius (Neal) Shea for 20 years, Margaret is survived by a son, Neal T. Shea and his wife Beth, and a daughter, Jennifer A. Smyth and her husband Thomas, all of Chelmsford. Four granddaughters; Kayleigh and Shannon Shea, and Shelby and Michaela Smyth. Two brothers; Robert Rudd of Travers City, MI and Thomas Rudd of Seattle, WA. She also leaves her very dear friends, Rachel and Nora Shea of Arlington, MA. 2012-10-22

Eileen Paco ’59, ’61 MM, Piano Performance, on September 26, 2010 in East Providence, RI.  Eileen was a music teacher in the East Providence School System from 1973 to 1996. She was also the organist and choir director at the Sheldon Street Church in Providence since 1990. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Constantino and Olivia Rodrigues Paco. Eileen is survived by her brother, and NEC graduate, Constantino ‘Tony’ Paco ’63. 2010-11-16

1960s

John Mauro Calabrese '60, Music Education on September 3, 2001

Ray Harmon Fennell ’60 MM, Vocal Performance, on February 13, 2011 in Soperton, Georgia. He received his BA from Oglethorpe University and a Masters degree from NEC. He held several administrative positions at NEC, the last as concert manager in 1966. In addition, he performed extensively throughout the New England area in concert and oratorio. Ray, a baritone, performed as a duo with Robert Paul Sullivan, guitarist and NEC faculty member. His background in the music field led him to San Francisco where he continued to perform and served as personal representative to James Schwabacher, noted tenor-lecturer and president of the Merola Memorial Fund of the San Francisco Opera. Upon retirement from the music field, in 1974, he moved to Jacksonville and under the guidance of his sister, Nell Wages, longtime owner-operator of the Nell Wages Specialty Shop in Murray Hill, he opened R. Fennelle's Inc. in Riverside from which he retired completely in 2002. In retirement, he has brought joy to many in the Riverside area through his love and pursuit of gardening. 2011-06-03

Richard Shore ’60, Music Education, on March 7, 2011, at the Falls River, MA Jewish Home. He was the husband of fifty-four years to Barbara (Kulvin) Shore. Richard was born in Quincy the son of the late Solomon and Ida (Goodman) Shore. He graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School, NEC, and also from Bridgewater State College with a Masters degree in teaching. Richard served his country during the Korean War with the United States Army. He also played the piano in the Army National Guard Band #215. He taught music for the Maine, Fall River, Tiverton and Providence schools. He was an accomplished pianist, composer and artist. Richard and his wife wrote thirteen original musicals which were performed by the Temple Beth El players. Survivors besides his wife are a daughter: Nancy Shore of NY; Gary Shore of CA: two sisters: Eleanor Ginsberg of FL; Annabelle Shore of CA: two brothers: Harvey Shore of NJ; Jeffrey Shore of FL; and also his dog Pepper. He was the brother of the late Dr. Beverly Sheiffer. 2011-06-03

Rev. Rosemary Dysart Baue '62 M.M. Vocal Performance, on October 23, 2011 in Connecticut. She earned her divinity degree in her sixties and shepherded the Union Chapel congregation on Fishers Island, NY. (United Church of Christ) for over a decade.  Born on December 13, 1933 in Springfield, Missouri, to Naoma Sage and LeRoy Dysart, she grew up in Webster Groves with her brothers Max, Jerry, and David, and sister Ramona. In her youth, she attended Lindenwood College and the New England Conservatory of Music, where she studied and sang opera; in her later years, she studied philosophy at Marlboro College and earned her Masters Degree from Yale Divinity School. Rosemary and her husband, Dr. Arthur Edward Baue, were one month shy of celebrating the 55th anniversary of their 1956 wedding. Together and with their three children, they lived in 27 different places around the world, including the Philippines, Haiti, and Germany.  The family is being served by The BAUE Funeral Home, 620 Jefferson Street, St. Charles, MO. Donations can be made in Rosemary's honor to the Häpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, C/O the Baue Funeral Homes, 620 Jefferson St. St. Charles, MO 63301 or online at <http://www.hashaiti.org/give-to-has> (Please list Rosemary Baue in the memo) to Häpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, P.O. Box 81046, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. 2011-11-09

Dr. Paul James Dorsam '63, '65 M.M., Music Education, on April 29, 2009, in Bayside, New York. He held Bachelor’s degrees in Trumpet and Music Education and a Master in Music Education Supervision from New England Conservatory of Music (Boston, MA.), a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University (Boston, MA.) and a Professional Diploma in School Administration from City University of New York. In addition to his work as an educator (K-12 – graduate school), he was active as a composer, scholar, conductor and trumpeter (Vermont and Richmond Symphonies). He was a faculty member of Lyndon State College, St. Michael’s College, Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond VA) and University of Mississippi at Hattiesburg. Dorsam authored many articles on music theory and music education as well as the Dorsam Method (a teaching method for K-12). His compositions include works for trumpet, cello, viola, oboe, flute, wind and brass ensembles, chorus, orchestra and string ensembles. Questions regarding Dorsam’s compositions, articles or the Dorsam Method please direct to Poppea Dorsam. 2010-01-13

James M. Kurzdorfer '66,Double Bass Performance, on April 26, 2011, after a two-year illness, longtime companion of Pat Armstrong; dear brother of Joseph (Millie) and John (Kim) Kurzdorfer; loving uncle of Michael (Karen) Lopez, Elisa (David) Ditullio, Daniel Kurzdorfer, Meghan (Daniel) McCarthy and great-uncle of Aubrie Ditullio, Mimi Lopez, Maxwell and Dexter Mc Carthy.  He was an original member of the jazz fusion group Spyro Gyra, Born in Buffalo, he grew up in a musical family. His father played cello in various local ensembles. After attending St. James Elementary School and Bishop Turner High School, he studied double bass at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Mass. Returning to Buffalo, he played with various groups, including Phil DiRe’s Buffalo Jazz Ensemble in the mid-1970s. Spyro Gyra began as a jam session among a few of its members. He played on the group’s first four albums and toured coast-to-coast and internationally. After Mr. Kurzdorfer left Spyro Gyra in 1980, he became a familiar figure on electric and stand-up bass in numerous jazz and rock bands around the Buffalo area. Noted for his versatility and ability to play in many styles, he appeared on many local recordings. He played annually behind tenor saxophonist Don Rice in his summertime appearances in The Buffalo News Jazz at the Albright-Knox series and accompanied keyboardist Bobby Jones when he returned to performing in 2009 after suffering a near-fatal brain tumor. In the 1980s, Mr. Kurzdorfer joined the faculty of Villa Maria College and was a music professor and the coordinator of its jazz program until illness forced him to limit his teaching to a few private students last year. He founded Villa Maria’s Summer Jazz Camp for high school musicians in 2001 and directed it until last year. 2011-12-13

Dr. Jennifer D. Johnson ’68, Piano Performance, on January 27, 2011 in Hampton, VA.  After graduating from East Orange High School, she continued her education, receiving a BM in Piano Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, a Master's degree in Music Education from Catholic University of America, and the Master's of Arts and Doctorate of Education from Columbia University in New York along with a second Doctor of Philosophy degree. Jennifer spent 25 years in the classroom, and was a breast cancer survivor. Dr. Johnson authored several articles, and worked with many noted medical and professionals as a Board Certified Psychologist in mental health and substance abuse and other healthcare initiatives within the Hampton Roads Community. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and a member of Liberty Baptist Church. 2011-06-03

Albert DiPietro '68, Trumpet Performance, on March 17, 2012 at Newton Wellesley Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He leaves his beloved wife Donna (Grover) DiPietro, his son Justin of Natick, his daughter Alicia of Easthampton, and his son Jonathan of Natick. Mr. DiPietro was born in Rochester, New York, the son of Silvio DiPietro and Ruth (Sepe) DiPietro. He was the brother of Arnold DiPietro of Penfield, NY and Iris Mangione of Rochester, NY.Mr. DiPietro was a professional musician known for his beautiful baroque and renaissance trumpet playing that he performed at thousands of wedding ceremonies and church services. He was a graduate of New England Conservatory of Music, teacher and Chairman of the Preparatory Brass Department. He taught and lectured at Tufts University where he established the Tufts Brass Ensemble. He taught at Longy School of Music in Cambridge and Powers Music School in Belmont. He was the principal trumpet of the Boston Chamber Opera, the Portland Symphony, and soloist with the Chromatic Club, Tufts University and the Reading Symphony.He was a devoted husband, father and teacher who enriched the lives of those he met. He will be greatly missed and always remembered for his love of family, love of music, and love of nature. 2012-03-20

1970s

Michael R. Franklin, '70 Double Bass Performance, on July 3, 2011.  He was born in Manhattan, N.Y., and was the son of retired C.P.A. Harry Franklin and the late Evelyn Popper de Podragy Franklin. He attended Bart College, the New England Conservatory of Music and the California Institute of the Arts where he trained as a bassist. After graduation he was a bassist with the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra, Guadalajara, Mexico. He was trained by Frederick Zimmerman of the New York Philharmonic, and Buell Neidlinger of the Boston Symphony when he joined the faculty of the California Institute of the Arts and Michael was a student. He also played at Tanglewood with the Boston Symphony Pops under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. 2011-11-11

Berkeley native Margaret Bort Imrie '72 M.M., Vocal Performance, passed away May 9th near San Francisco after a long illness. She had been living in Point Richmond with her husband, Gordon Imrie, and his mother, 89-year-old Mary B. Imrie-McGowan, who passed away in January.  She held many positions in her local congregations, including, since early 2011, lay reader of Bible texts for her Berkeley congregation. She was pivotal in urgent landmark issues for major urban edifices in Manhattan and Berkeley  She spent a year running a boutique to raise funds for preservation of an old theater near Chicago. This was after working five years for home design firm MacKenzie-Childs, Ltd. on Madison Avenue managing a store with $3 million of annual sales and fifty employees in busy seasons.

After moving to the Midwest to help care for Gordon's parents she also served in her church's Illinois information office for several years. Thus began her interest in pursuing her Masters of Divinity degree at San Francisco Theological Seminary with the goal of musical ministry in nearby San Quentin prison. Another influence in this direction was her ten years' work with the Chicago Chamber Choir as an alto and sometime soloist. She showcased in a Chicago cabaret and was comfortable singing many kinds of music and languages. Because her other relatives, friends, and colleagues are so many and far-flung, the family has arranged a Facebook celebration of her long life. Postings may be seen and made at http://on.fb.me/JGZ3p4. There will be posted timing of a gardening party suggested by Margaret, whereby her circle converts a blighted plot to maintainable blooms.  2012-09-14

Richard B. Reed '75 Jazz Performance of Sarasota, FL, formerly of Paxton, MA, died on Nov. 26, 2012. He is survived by two daughters, Cheryl Spove of Lincoln, IL and Amy Reed Scholten and her husband Brian of Freeville, NY, and two sons, Richard J. Reed and his wife Christine of Sarasota, and Dana G. Reed and his wife Maria of Spencer, MA. He was predeceased by his wife T. Arlene Reed, his brother George M. Reed, and sister Ann Nierendorf. Mr. Reed was born in Paxton, MA on Dec., 27, 1923 to Frank A. and Irene (Maccabee) Reed. He served in the US Army Air Corps as a sergeant during WWII. Mr. Reed was a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and was a piano technician in Worcester, MA for many years. He was also a professional musician who played saxophone and other instruments. 2012-11-28

Carl Walter Roskott '75 Orchestral Coducting, in 2008 in Maryland.  Carl Roskott was Music Director of the Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra at the University of Virginia, and taught conducting, composition and symphonic literature from 1991 until 2005. Carl set high artistic standards for himself and for the orchestra, which continually challenged and improved the students and musicians who participated over the years. He gave so much to all the musicians he worked with, and we remember him with affection as a great musician, an inspiring teacher, and a giving friend. Carl Roskott, a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and the Peabody Conservatory, was an outstanding conductor, composer and educator. At 15 he conducted the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Haydn’s Symphony No. 104. While at Tanglewood, Carl received the Dmitri Metropolous Award and was the recipient of two Leonard Bernstein Fellowships. He studied with Leonard Bernstein, Gunther Schuller, Sheldon Morgenstern, Leo Mueller, Richard Pittman, and Michael Tilson Thomas. Very active with the Eastern Music Festival for many years, he was awarded several commissions to compose music for the Festival, and conducted the young Wynton Marsalis in a performance of Mahler’s Third Symphony. Downbeat Magazine awarded Roskott the “Best Symphony Orchestra Recording” every year from 1980 to 1989 for his leadership of the Northern Illinois University orchestra. 2011-12-13

Jane Butler Lewis '76 '79 M.M. Early Music Performance, of Roslindale, MA. Musician, librarian and brave ,gentle soul. Jane had a MLS from Simmons College and a Masters Degree in Early Music from the New England Conservatory of Music. Born in California, Jane spent her childhood years in England and Germany before settling in Boston in her early twenties. She is survived by her daughter, Martha Willette Lewis of New York and brother Roger Butler of California. Beloved by many, she will be sorely missed. 2013-02-19

Bruce K. Dinkins '76 M.M. Clarinet Performance, on June 22, 2011 in Ashland, Oregon. He was born April 12, 1951 in Buffalo, New York and reared in Tampa and Green Cove Springs Florida. From a very early age, he discovered the clarinet and this became his passion. He earned the distinction of first chair clarinet in the Florida All-State Band in high school. He went on to earn degrees in Clarinet Performance at the University of Tampa (Bachelor's), and The New England Conservatory (Master's), with additional studies at Florida State University toward a doctorate, and The Juilliard School (Clarinet Performance Certificate). He toured Europe with the New England Conservatory Orchestra with Gunther Schuller and Leonard Bernstein. He performed in famous recital halls and other venues throughout the northeastern United States and other parts of the country as a young man and was very well received. He performed with the Jacksonville Symphony, the Macon Symphony, conducted the Memphis Youth Symphony, and was the Conductor-In-Residence of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Sewanee, Tennessee for the more than 25 summers, in addition to dozens of other similar roles. He began his teaching career at Florida Junior College and Jacksonville University, before moving on to Emory University in Atlanta. Later in his career, he taught high school and held positions at Avondale High School Center for Performing Arts in Atlanta, North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia, Irmo High School in Irmo, South Carolina, and for the past 10 years at James Bowie High School in Austin, Texas. His bands consistently received accolades when performing for the public or for adjudication. Bruce has been described by some as the "Pied Piper" of his industry. Scores of younger professionals looked to him for support and for advice about their careers, many followed him from state to state, and others worked for or with him, finding his love for music contagious. He was very supportive of his peers and embraced other fine musicians. Among other professional designations, Bruce was most proud of his induction into the American Bandmaster's Association. 2011-11-11

Margaret (Peg) Bachelder '77 M.M. of Newton, MA, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2012, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Born in Oregon City, Oregon, she was the daughter of the late Horace and Evangeline (nee Morris) Bachelder. She was a graduate of Vassar College (with honors) and the New England Conservatory of Music (Master's of Music), where her teachers included Leonard Shure and Victor Rosenbaum. She was a member of the NEC faculty, where she taught piano in the Preparatory and Extension Divisions, and an instructor of piano and chamber music at the Boston Conservatory (special programs) and the All Newton Music School. She gave solo and chamber performances in the U.S., Italy, and Israel in major venues, including Jordan Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Boston Conservatory, and the All Newton Music School and served as president of the New England Piano Teachers' Association. Peg was a beloved friend, mentor, and moral compass to all who knew her. In addition to sharing her passion for music, she found joy in yoga, cycling, ballroom dancing, and the companionship of her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Martin Allen; her sister, Ann Goulka and brothers, Stephen Bachelder, and Edward Bachelder; her six nieces and nephews: Jeremiah, Sarah, Bradley, Emily, Charles, and Hannah; and her devoted Sheltie companion, Lincoln. 2012-06-29

Susan E. Lauck (Suzy)’77 A.D. Piano Performance, on February 25, 2010, in Warren, Vermont.  Suzy graduated from the Halifax School for the Blind and the University of Toronto. In 1977, she received the Artist Diploma from the New England Conservatory, where she was a student of Jacob Maxin. As part of her program, she gave two piano recitals in Jordan Hall.  A recording of these recitals may be downloaded from her husband's web site, www.aglauck.com. Suzy played professionally in the early 1960's in Canada, including performances broadcast on Radio Canada. 2011-06-01

Peter Michael McIvor '79 of Watertown, Connecticut, died suddenly on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at home. Peter was born in Waltham, MA on July 18, 1956, the third son of the late Edward and Dorothy McIvor. He was a 1974 Waltham High graduate. Peter was a talented trumpet player who earned his music degree at the New England Conservatory in 1978. Mr. McIvor taught music at Old Lyme, Waterford, and Canton, CT. In addition, Mr. McIvor coached women's high school basketball for several years. Peter is survived by his twin sons, Peter McIvor, Jr. and his wife Sara of Jersey City, N.J. and Christian McIvor and his wife Christine of Greensboro, NC, his siblings, Susanne McIvor of Moody, ME, William McIvor and his wife Johanne of Southborough, MA and Robert McIvor and his wife Lori of Mansfield, MA, and seven nephews. A private service will be held at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham, MA. 2012-06-26

1980s

Howard Jason Hartman ’80, Saxophone Performance on January 9, 2011. Jason was a Neurophysiology Technologist for over 25 years. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Holloway; his parents, Lawrence and Shirley Hartman; and two brothers, Daniel and Edward Hartman. Jason was a lover of music and visual art. 2011-06-03

Jeffrey B. Hodes '86, Percussion Performance, on September 14, 2011 Born in Worcester, MA, he moved to Los Angeles where he met his future wife and writing partner, Nastaran Dibai. Hodes had a successfull career as a television sitcom writer. He and his wife worked on such shows as The Nanny, Third Rock from the Sun and According to Jim to name a few. Hodes is survived by Dibai and their young daughter., Katrina. 2011-11-11

1990s

Steven Dennis Bodner ’99 MM, Wind Ensemble Conducting, on Jan. 11, 2011, in Albany, NY. Mr. Bodner was artist-in-residence at Williams College, where he directed the Symphonic Winds and Opus Zero Band, co-directed the I/O New Music Festival, and taught saxophone, music fundamentals and music theory. He was a founding board member of Roomful of Teeth and regularly conducted productions of The New Opera in Williamstown. He also taught at Hartwick College and South Shore Conservatory Summer Music Festivals and at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School. He was in demand as a guest conductor and clinician. As a saxophonist, he performed with the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra, Williams Chamber Players, the Manchester, VT Music Festival, and the microtonal ensemble NotaRiotous. Mr. Bodner will be remembered by his family, students, and friends as a caring, devoted, talented and dedicated man. His love for music and the people in his life was unmatched. 2011-06-01

2000s

Amanda Marie Burr ’02, Violin Performance, on June 11, 2011 in Westfield, MA .  Born in Amarillo, Texas on November 27, 1979, she was the daughter of Lawrence R. and Frances “Faith” (Gorski) Burr of Norfolk.   Amanda graduated from the Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts in Natick, MA. She earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from NEC, a Master’s Degree in Music from UMASS – Amherst and her Performance Degree from Boston University.  An accomplished violinist, Amanda was a member of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, the Arcadia Players and also other ensembles. Amanda was on the faculty at Westfield State University. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Amanda’s memory to Bethany Christian Services, 820 Turnpike St. #101, North Andover, MA 01845. 2011-06-16