Jerilee Taverniti Kechley
August 29, 1948 - August 23, 2005
 Main   Guest Book   Photos   Memorial Services   Donations   Contact 

You are free to use this space to share your thoughts and memories with Jerilee's family and friends. To post a message that will be shared with other visitors click here.
David and Family A quick note to let you know how stunned I was to see Jerilee is playing flute in heaven. I played in the Roosevelt Orchestra with Jerilee from 1963-1966. We endured Mr. Turner. Jeri was a very talented flutist then and helped our orchestra be the best in the state. I remember Jerilee fondly as a sweet young woman with a passion for music and a zest for life. Many blessings to all of you. Sincerely, Hannah Holladay Class of 66
Hannah Holladay (Kramer) <hhollada@seattlecca.org>
Seattle, Wa USA - Thursday, October 06, 2005 at 16:41:13 (EDT)
Dear David, Aaron, Benjamin and Anthea, I am about to go to bed and I began to think about Jerilee again. I know you will have a beautiful Memorial Service tomorrow and I really wish that I could be there. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I will never forget when you "Kechley's" moved to Wilmington. I met you through the Wilmington Symphony and really began to know you through the Montessori School. I was the music teacher at Montessori and at that time my Suzuki Violin Program was beginning to take off. Soon I was overwhelmed with teaching in the morning and the afternoon along with trying my best to be a good mother. I wanted to tell Peggy that I needed to focus just on my private studio but I felt that I couldn't do that without finding someone who I thought would be wonderful with children to replace me at the Montessori School. That is when I asked Jerilee to come over for coffee. We had a wonderful talk and she said that she would be interested in taking my place. Then we began talking about the Suzuki Philosophy. I thought that she was cut out to be a Suzuki Flute teacher. I am so glad that we met. Before long,Wilmington had a Suzuki Violin, Piano and Flute teacher and and to think just a few years before in 1977 Wilmingto didn't even know what "Suzuki" was other than motorcycles. Then we share having babies in our 30's. We both were thrilled. I will never forget when Jerilee found the youth bed and armoire. She called me up and Anthea got the one with the heart and Leif got the one with the teddy bear. I still have the furniture. The bed will soon be used again by a granddaughter but the armoire is presently be used for CDs and video. I can not go up to the armoire without thinking of the history of the "buy". Anyway, I couldn't go to bed without telling you that your wife and mom made a big impact on many lives and her legacy will go on in her students. Some of her students are teachers now and all of Jerilee's great teaching ideas will pass from one gernation to another for years to come. She will alrom one gernation to another for years to come. She will always be with us. Much love to all of you. Lorraine
Lorraine Westermark <hwestermark@ec.rr.com>
Wilmington, NC USA - Saturday, October 01, 2005 at 00:18:15 (EDT)
Dear David and Family, Jerilee was a mentor, colleague, teacher, and friend. When she first learned that there was another Suzuki flute teacher in the area, she called me and asked me all about myself and my Suzuki experiences. I have learned so much from Jerilee, and so often find myself using her ideas in my daily teaching and practicing. She had such insight in people and flute playing. Jerilee was truly dedicated to the Suzuki method and I will miss her dearly.
Tari Wheeler Roosa <tarisw@aol.com>
Lee, MA USA - Friday, September 30, 2005 at 22:55:17 (EDT)
Dear David & Famiy, I am truly saddened to hear about Jerilee. Jerilee was my first flute teacher in Seattle back in the early 70’s. She made a profound impact on me and helped me get started in the right direction on the flute. She was a wonderful role model for me. After three years of study, our paths parted as she and David moved out of the Seattle area. Although we lost touch, I often thought of Jerilee, as I continued to study the flute, eventually attending Juilliard as a student of Julius Baker. Our paths crossed again just a few years ago when a composition of David’s was being performed by the Seattle Symphony. I happened to be playing in the orchestra for that concert and approached David. He remembered a “scrawny” little 4th grader named Robin showing up at their door in the 70’s. Of course I was thrilled to hear that Jerilee would be flying out for the performance. Jerilee and I met backstage before the concert. It was so exciting to once again, after all those years, connect with the person who helped shape and influence my musical life. This time we kept in touch. I attended one of Jerilee’s Suzuki workshops in Seattle and spent an afternoon with her talking about our lives and filling in all the details of the past 30 years. A year later I sent her an announcement that my husband and I had given birth to a baby girl. She sent back a card and said she felt like a “grandmother”. Jerilee appreciated the love and care of her own teachers and wanted to make the same difference in the lives of her students and their families. Well, she did. Throughout the past 30 years, I have thought often of the love and care she showed me so early in my life. She will be missed and never forgotten. Thank you Jerilee.
Robin Peery (Carlson) <Robin@webstudiorp.com>
Seattle, WA USA - Friday, September 30, 2005 at 00:14:17 (EDT)
Dear David and family, I have been thinking a lot about Jerilee these past few weeks. My son studied with her for two years at a very young age and I am still in awe of her unique abilities to transform these squirming, chattering little beings into musicians. My son learned a lot from Jerilee but I learned even more - she taught me the lessons of patience, acceptance, praise, and understanding, all of which seemed to come so naturally to her. Her lessons did not end in the classroom - not for me anyway - and for that I will always be grateful. My thoughts are with you.
Melissa Cirone
Williamstown, MA USA - Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 11:31:06 (EDT)
Condoglianze dalla cugina rose e domenico taverniti and famiglia
rose taverniti
toronto, ont canada - Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at 17:00:19 (EDT)
to the kechley family from all the taverniti families in toronto our condolances she will be missed by all
antonietta taverniti <antonietta.taverniti@bmo.com>
toronto, on canada - Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at 16:57:20 (EDT)
Just wanted Aaron to know I am so sorry to hear of his loss. Aaron, you probably don't remember me, but I was your teacher assistant when you were in 2nd grade at Winter Park. You and your family lived very near us too! I am thinking of you! Would love to hear from you too!
Beth White <ldwbtw@worldnet.att.net>
Wilmington, NC USA - Monday, September 26, 2005 at 18:04:11 (EDT)
Dear David and family, Donald, Reid and I send our deepest heartfelt sympathy to you on the loss of Jerilee. I hadn't seen Jerilee in quite a while, having moved away from the Berkshires. But, I kept up with her through our mutual friend, Peg. Jerilee had a wonderful spirit that touched so many people in so many ways. For me, it was our shared passion for the Japanese aesthetic. I remember listening to her articulate her vision for the new house on the mountain. It was clear that she was creating an environment filled with physical as well as spritual beauty. I feeled blessed having known Jerilee. As I read all of these letters, I am in awe of the remarkable legacy that is Jerilee. That is forever. Love, Elisa
Elisa Lanzi <elisaLanzi@charter.net>
Belchertown, MA USA - Sunday, September 25, 2005 at 17:11:42 (EDT)
Dear David, Anthea, Aaron & Ben: Thank you for the privelege of knowing Jerilee. Not only was she a great musician with which to share many performances, but she was a mentor to me as well. Helping me run my studio, offering advice on subjects only another teacher could understand. Today, in fact, I need her advice more than anyone's - the realization that she's truly gone and it is not a bad dream is finally sinking in. I had surgery the summer of 2004 and a week later ran into her at the grocery store. As usual, I asked how she was doing and I'll never forget her reply: "I'm fine. What I really want to know is how you're doing." That is how I will remember her - always caring about others. We had a long talk in May and I walked away from the conversation feeling like she was the strongest person I had ever met. And if there was a definition of "unfair" it was Jerilee. We were robbed. The finger of God pointed at the earth and hit her instead. She is sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lisa Jenkins <jenkins712@earthlink.net>
North Adams, MA USA - Monday, September 19, 2005 at 09:57:15 (EDT)
David: Our prayers and thoughs are with you and your family during time of reflection. Jerilee made a positive impact on the local and national music community. She will be missed by many friends, parents and especially her former students.
The Sneed family <stephendouglassneed@yahoo.com>
Williamstown, MA USA - Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 10:13:41 (EDT)
Dear David and Family, I was so terribly sorry to read in the Seattle Times that Jerilee lost her battle with breast cancer. I went to high school with her and also roomed with her in a boarding house room (in the Lunga House) when we were at the UofW so many years ago - '68 I think! It was right when she met you and I remember how fondly she used to talk about you. We had terrific fun (the two of us living out of a single cramped room) and I fondly remember her wonderful endless energy and ever friendly smile. She loved everyone and had an enjoyment of life that was transmitted to all around her! I also remember her dedication to music and her flute (she always had it with her)and it makes me feel good to know she was able to pursue her ambitions. Thank you for the opportunity to share memories -there will always be a warm place in my heart for her! I wish you and your family the strength from wonderful memories in coping with her very untimely passing - my thoughts are with you. Fondly, Patra
Patra Grevstad <patra.grevstad@swedish.org>
Sammamish, WA USA - Saturday, September 10, 2005 at 00:10:42 (EDT)
We would like to thank the Suzuki Teachers in Wilmington, NC, for their thoughtful tribute to Jerilee on Sunday, September 4th in the form of a day sponsorship and contribution to WHQR public radio. Our time in Wilmington was indeed when Jerilee first found her passion for the Suzuki method and philosophy, a life changing event for her. The following tribute was read on the four times during the day: In memory of a wonderful Suzuki flute teacher, Jerilee Kechley, from Wilmington Suzuki teachers with whom she began her career...Joanne, Lorraine, Becky, and Michael. Aaron, Ben, Anthea, and I along with our extended families also wish to thank everyone who has visited the site and for the many messages that have been left here. We hope reading them can be a comfort to everyone who feels this tremendous loss as we do.
David Kechley <dkechley@williams.edu>
Williamstown, MA USA - Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 12:22:58 (EDT)
To the Kechley Family, Our sincere sympathy to you from folks you knew long ago. Our boys, Hilary and Hunter were fellow students at Montessori School. Our daughter, Anne Christian, was born shortly before Anthea (who Jerilee swore was going to be a boy.) We also shared numerous meals and happy occasions as Jerilee and I attempted to enjoy our Italian heritage. We were both so proud of it and felt we were kindred spirits. We will pray for you and certainly realize what a profound loss you are experiencing. Thinking of you as we look at that beautiful face and remember Jerilee.
judith pierce <judy.pierce@gmail.com>
wilmington, nc USA - Wednesday, September 07, 2005 at 14:58:00 (EDT)
Dear David, Aaron, Ben, and Anthea, I've been visiting Jerilee's website often. I want you all to know that Jerilee has made an impact on my life for a long time. I'd like to share a weekend that my husband Steve and I spent with David and Jerilee last March, 2005. The Greater Cleveland Flute Society had invited Jerilee to speak with interested Cleveland area flute teachers on the benefits and methods of Suzuki Flute - Jerilee arrived Friday afternoon before I got home from work - there she was - sitting in the hot tub outside with the snow on the deck when I got home! How fondly I remember that image of her huge smile and eyes and beanie!! Knowing Jerilee's huge passion for culinary delights, I had picked out 3 interesting choices of local restaurants to entertain her and David that evening - Turkish, Indian, and Brazilian. Jerilee said, "How thoughtful" but was more interested in comfort food - Japanese or Italian. So we visited Pacific East right down the street on Coventry Road a block from my house - a great restaurant that we all enjoyed - me for the 1st time! The weekend went on very surrendipitously - much sun on Saturday (a major rarity in Cleveland) - even a warm spell - visited the Cleveland Botanical Gardens - butterflies - Frank Gehry's Peter B. Lewis Bldg. with brilliant sun splashing off the curvaceous metal - Jerilee then wanted to attend mass as she would be unable to on Sunday - "Little Italy" was just around the corner. . .we walked into Holy Rosary Church and found it packed - This is because Bishop Pilla was officiating the mass of the 100th birthday of his former babysitter! Jerilee was thrilled and even spoke to him after mass. But the highlight of the weekend happened with Jerilee's presentation to GCFS members on Sunday. All who attended loved the workshop - I could not believe her stamina with 3 feisty 4-6 year old children whom she demonstrated Suzuki games with. Someone in the audience asked Jerilee to play - She played "Moon Over Ruined Castle." It was SO lovely - same amazing tone I've admired all these years. And, one of our member's took the first level of Suzuki training this summer because of Jerilee. I will miss Jerilee - her direct, straightforward and always kind observations. She has taught me much; her passing is a great loss to the music community. I also know, however, that her life will live on through her students and those many friends and colleagues that she has touched through her life of giving. Much love, Linda and Steve
Linda Miller <mackflute@earthlink.net>
Cleveland Heights, OH USA - Tuesday, September 06, 2005 at 14:42:11 (EDT)
What a sad and difficult time this is for us(myself and daughters Emily,14 and Olivia,10) now that a bright and beautiful light has left our world. Right now we hurt, but feel blessed to have had Jerilee as such a significant and positive presence in our lives. What a rich seven years we have had with her as our teacher. Jerilee has been so much more to us than our flute teacher, she has been a friend, role model,parent coach and part of our family. We love her dearly. Her positive attitude, love of life,children and teaching has been an inspiration that will be with us for the rest of our lives. Even though her light still glows with love within our hearts there are no words to express how painfully she is and will continue to be missed.
Elaine Moyant <emoyant@svsu.org>
Shaftsbury, VT USA - Tuesday, September 06, 2005 at 14:05:18 (EDT)
Dear David: A deep feeling of sadness came over us, when we were notified that Jerilee past away. We saw a wonderfull and caring person the few times we had the joy of meeting her. We have in mind the nice feelings of sympathy that Jerilee transmitted the people around. Our condoleance to you David, the children and of course her mother. We send you our warmth and strenght to carry this loss of Jerilee. Love from Spain, Alex, Robin, Carola, Enrique.
Carola & Enrique <duocl@tinet.org>
tarragona, c Spain - Tuesday, September 06, 2005 at 12:53:32 (EDT)
My sincere sympathy to Jerilee's family, David, Aaron, Benjamin, and Anthea. Jeri was a neighborhood friend who attended grade school through high school with me. We were the same age and graduated together, but I have not seen her since high school days. It was a delight to learn what Jerilee had accomplished since I last saw her, and it especially warmed my heart to know that she enjoyed giving so much of herself to young aspiring music students. It is sad to see the world lose such a talented and compassionate lady. I thought your family might treasure these old school photos. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Patricia Ekins Smith <smythaz@aol.com>
Bothell, WA USA - Tuesday, September 06, 2005 at 11:14:51 (EDT)
Dear David, We were very saddened to read about your immeasurable loss, and we extend our condolences to you and your family. I knew Jerilee as a friendly and gifted fellow orchestra player at Williams. Just last year, she brightened up our rehearsals and performance of Carmina Burana with her fine playing and her lovely disposition. I did not know and could never have guessed that she had been struggling, so bravely, with cancer. Even more, I thought of Jerilee as a loving, devoted mother and teacher. When Aaron played his English horn so exquisitely at Berkshire Symphony--and, later, turned into a brilliant Williams student--I knew what wonderful encouragement and nurturing he had at home. And one very special Berkshire Symphony moment was a post-concert celebration at the Kechley home for Jerilee’s flute student who had won the concerto competition. We will miss Jerilee. With our deepest sympathy, Richard Mickey Nancy Salz
Richard Mickey and Nancy Salz <rkmlenox@aol.com>
Stockbridge, MA USA - Monday, September 05, 2005 at 19:11:59 (EDT)
Jeri was my friend in junior high and at Roosevelt. We played flute together and I was always in awe of her abilities. Mostly, we were friends who could, and did, talk about anything. I will never forget the sleepovers where I truly learned about the value of bonding with other women. I've thought about her smile, honesty and music many times over the years and I firmly believe she made the world a much better place before she left it.
Mary Russell Asplund <asplundm@yahoo.com>
Lake Forest Park , WA USA - Monday, September 05, 2005 at 14:38:27 (EDT)
Dear David, Anthea, Aaron and Ben - I talked yesterday with your mother, David. Your Kechley cousins send you and your family our deep condolences. You and the family have lost a much loved member. With deep sympathy, Judith L. Young-Thayer. (My mother, Gladys L. Aue Young was a daughter of your Dad's cousin, Emma Jane Kechely Aue, who was your grandfather Ed Kechley's eldest sister. Our cousin, Marguerite Aue Rankin, daughter of Emma's eldest son, Carl, also has sent her condonlences.)
Judith L. Young-Thayer <jlythayer@aol.com>
Hampton, VA USA - Monday, September 05, 2005 at 14:24:48 (EDT)
To Jerilee's family and friends. My name is Kris (Peterson) Pomianek. I opened the newspaper in Seattle today and read about Jerilee's death. I truly felt saddened. Although our paths have not crossed for many years, I have such fond memories of Jerilee from many years past. Jerilee and I went to grade school, junior high school, and high school together, graduating together from Roosevelt High. What a wonderful person she was then, and I can only imagine what a wonderful person she must have been all the way up to her death. We had such great times together, camping at Pioneer Ridge, selling Girl Scout cookies, sleep overs and such fun "girl times" giggling and laughing as if there were no tomorrow. Jerilee and I too enjoyed such fun times playing the flute together. Unlike Jerilee, however, I did not continue to play after high school. She was a wonderful player then and I can only imagine what a fabulous player she must have become. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you who knew her so well. I can only imagine how you must be feeling. Know that as a person she touched me too - way back when - I feel very honored to have known her and I will cherish the memories we shared forever. With fondness from the past, Kris Pomianek
Kris Pomianek <kris@chelanpud.org>
Wenatchee, WA USA - Monday, September 05, 2005 at 12:21:20 (EDT)
Dear David, Anthea, Aaron and Ben, Mark and I are so terribly sad to hear about Jerilee's passing. I feel so fortunate to have experienced and known her positive and bright spirit. Her courage and strength through her personal battle with cancer taught me so much about how to rise above personal battles to enjoy life to its fullest. Jerilee was a remarkable woman in so many ways and I will truly miss her. With much gratitude for having know Jerilee, and much love to David, Anthea, Aaron and Ben. Jan and Mark Vinci
Jan and Mark Vinci <janvinci@aol.com>
New York, NY USA - Sunday, September 04, 2005 at 17:35:28 (EDT)
I am overwhelmed with sadness since learning from my mother this morning about the passing of Jerilee. I was just a child when I first met her for flute lessons at her home in Wilmington, NC. She taught me how to spit rice and play my flute, but also to really love and appreciate music. She believed in me even when I failed and my life has been much richer for it. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. May God help us to find a cure for this devastating disease.
Anna Humphrey Katsoulis <katsoulisa@mail.ecu.edu>
Greenville, NC USA - Sunday, September 04, 2005 at 14:36:11 (EDT)
Dear David, Aaron, Ben and Anthea, Please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of Jerilee. I have never known a braver or more determined person. I enjoyed every moment I shared with her, and I feel blessed to have seen her before her last trip abroad and to have shared dinner at La Veranda. Our "ladies" weekend at the Cape was especially memorable, as were her wonderful ladies' dinners! She was and is an inspiration to all of us. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. I know she is with the angels and is smiling her beautiful smile. She has left us with her inimitable love and faith.
Sandy LoPresto <MsKatz2@aol.com>
Williamstown, MA USA - Wednesday, August 31, 2005 at 20:08:05 (EDT)
Dear David, Aaron, Ben and Anthea, Wayne, Justin, Nick, Natalie and I extend our most sincere condolences; Jerilee was loved by all of us and her big smile and warm heart will be missed. We have many fond memories of time spent with your family; flute recitals, workshop trips, dinner parties and Christmas Eves. I met Jerilee when Ben and Justin were in grade school. We became friends instantly, sharing a bond that is rare. We met frequently for long walks and talks. We always discussed heartfelt issues; our families, our childhood experiences, our fears, our joys, our hopes and goals. Jerilee was more than a friend to me; she was a sister, a mentor, and a confidante. Jerilee held herself to a very high standard. She was a tireless worker with an incredible ability to take a task, break it into pieces and tackle those pieces until she mastered the task. She was often daunted but not overwhelmed by hugh undertakings; building the house, getting her Suziki training in Japan, running her workshops, performing on stage, battling cancer. To a large degree she was able to put battling cancer on the list of things that she needed to accomplish. She broke it into pieces of manageable size and dealt with them. In an organized and disciplined fashion she advocated for her health through Chinese medecine, acupressure, yoga, chiropractic, diet and exercise, as well as the more traditional routes. I remember the night that she called to tell me that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Although she was faced with surgery and an uncertain outcome, the only time she cried was when she talked about her children. She was upset because you were all so young and there was still so much to be done as your Mother. One of our last conversations was about you, Ben, Aaron and Anthea, about how far you have all come, how much you have grown and accomplished and how grateful she was to have had these last 11 years with you. David, I know that you are heartbroken by this tremendous loss, but you should also feel that you did absolutely everything in your power to make sure that Jerilee had not only what she needed but also what she wanted. She was made to feel protected and comfortable and was able to live in her own home, surrounded by the things and the people she loved until the day she died. She was religious and a realist and was probably as ready and as well prepared for her passing as possible. I hope that you can feel her smiling down on you, I know that she would want to see us all smiling back. Love, Peggy
Peg LoPresto <lopresto@cape.com>
Orleans, MA USA - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 17:55:26 (EDT)
Dear David children, family and friends: Luckily, I was able to spend some bonding moments with Jerilee at the Taverniti Family Reunion in 2003 in Seattle. While my own baby sister was dieing of colon cancer, I was devasted and Jerilee comforted me at that time. At first, she was reluctant to talk about her disease with me and let me know that she didn't want to talk about Jaimie. As we all walked together she confronted me and I think her own illness and she then expressed to me her grief for Jaimie. I have admired her over the years and will hold her close in my everyday thoughts and prayers. My sympathy goes out to Tony, Kay, and all of the Taverniti family members. May God be with all of us at this time of much sorrow.
Elizabeth Alexandra Taverniti <ETaverniti@aol.com>
Manassas, VA USA - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 09:25:49 (EDT)
Dear David, Anthea, Aaron, and Ben- Jerilee and I became friends soon after she began teaching my daughter Kathleen flute when Kathleen was about eight years old. I saw right away what a wonderful person Jerilee was—so dedicated to her teaching of flute, so committed to helping develop the whole child, and so funny! Now eighteen, Kathleen has a love of music that is entirely attributable to all of those hours of flute lessons. As large as Jerilee’s talent for teaching flute was, I appreciated that she took an artist’s view toward all of life. The colors she wore, the home she helped design—these were part of that. And so was a certain crisp, mindful appreciation of even the most ordinary detail another person would take for granted. I can picture her now, standing in her front doorway at the Lindley Terrace house, greeting Kathleen and me as we arrived one day for a lesson. The wind was whipping up a swirling fall storm and Jerilee, her hair flying around her head, was letting the strong gusts practically blow her sideways. Laughing, she shouted towards us: “Don’t you just love the WIND? It’s so STIMulating!” I feel incredibly lucky to have known her, and I think I notice the wind and maybe a few other things a little more because of her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Diana Brooks <ddbrooks@adelphia.net>
Williamstown, MA USA - Monday, August 29, 2005 at 18:38:58 (EDT)
Dear David, Aaron, Ben, and Anthea, Thank you so much for the privledge of sharing some very profound moments with Jimi and I. We are so grateful to have physically been with you to share our grief, memories, laughter, and support. I am struck by just how much of Jerilee surfaces so naturally in all of us, which again is another tribute to her. She was much more then just my cousin...she was like a sister, and my trusted friend. She encouraged my creativity, and inspired me to persue my love of art. She reassurred and taught me many aspects of being a parent. And, we could laugh and giggle about everything from Grandma memories to our reluctantly aging bodies. When I think of how much I will miss her, I am determined to immulate what I consider her legacy. That is, we have no gaurentees on how long our lives will be, so make sure you give love and acceptence without hesitation or judgement, and surrounded yourself with the people, and things that give you joy. What is remarkable about her is that she knew all that before she got cancer, she just kicked it up a notch. You know how much Jimi and I love you all...what a wonderful way for Jerilee to carry on. Blessings, Kim
Kimberly Taverniti-Martyn <jimiandkim.tm@verizon.net>
Kennewick, Wa. United States - Monday, August 29, 2005 at 11:41:06 (EDT)
Dear David, Aaron, Ben & Anthea, There aren't enough words to express all the things that Jerilee meant to me. She was more than a wonderful teacher, she was a tremendous inspiration. Because of her, I became a music teacher. If it had not been for Jerilee, my life would have taken a very different path. Hardly a day goes by that I do not think of something that she taught me. I know that she has left a wonderful legacy among all her students and what she taught us will live on in perpetuity! I remember one particularly difficult time when I first started teaching that I asked her for advice. She always had the most amazing clarity of ideas and could hone in on exactly what I needed to hear. Whether by phone or in person, she was able to inspire me as no other person I have ever met. I treasure the many notes I took from my lessons and the priceless memories of her valuable teaching. I hope that as I pass these things on to others, that it will be a way to honor her memory. My sincere condolences, love and thoughts are with you all. Becky
Becky Falor <bfalor@capefearacademy.org>
Wilmington, NC USA - Sunday, August 28, 2005 at 21:47:47 (EDT)
Dear David, Aaron, Ben and Anthea: Jerilee was a dear and treasured friend of mine [and our family]for 12 years, ever since we moved to Williamstown from Hawaii in 1993.My eldest daughter Ashley, an 8th grader, was in need of a flute teacher and Walter Getchell the music teacher at the elementary school recommended Jerilee.It was the beginning of a very special friendship as teacher and friend to both Ashley and myself. Two factors immediately connected Jerilee and myself together - we both hailed from the Pacific Northwest, Jerilee from Seattle and myself from Vancouver, BC and we loved Japanese art and food. Her love of all things Asian and her Seattle roots were lovingly reflected in the "house that Jerilee built" on Pine Cobble, a house that immediately takes you to the Pacific Northwest when you step inside.It was a house filled with the love of family and music. Jerilee and I often could be found enjoying a "bento" lunch at a local Asian eatery, smacking our lips over edamame, miso soup and seaweed salad, smugly assuming that no one else in Williamstown could possibly appreciate the zen of bento as we did. Jerilee had a breathtaking zest for life and wasn't going to let breast cancer interfere with all that she had to accomplish, experience and involve herself with. At times I'm sure we all simply forgot that she had breast cancer because she always looked so vibrant and healthy. Happy memories include flute recitals and workshops, road trips to Manchester, VT, girls nights out,blenders of margaritas, birthday celebrations,family gatherings,a chick weekend to Cape Cod,long walks,and of course those bento lunches. Jerilee was and still is an inspiration to all of us who were lucky enough to be touched by her friendship,honesty,love,energy,spirituality and strength. Jerilee will be with me when and wherever I eat my next bento lunch.
Martha Elpern <kauai@bcn>
Williamstown, MA USA - Sunday, August 28, 2005 at 14:55:24 (EDT)
Dear David: Our deepest condolences to you and your children. I remember many amusing encounters with Jerilee in Yoga classes, and we both treasure the memory of a pleasant evening in our home, when she played her flute for us. With kindest regards, Dan and Mary O'Connor
Dan O'Connor <doconnor@williams.edu>
Williamstown, MA USA - Sunday, August 28, 2005 at 13:32:21 (EDT)