|
|
"Through music I became a whole person. The loving and caring of my own teachers carried me
along the way. I want to make this same difference in the lives of children, their families,
and other teachers."
Jerilee Taverniti Kechley
|
Jerilee’s death is an incalculable loss to her family, but also to so many who were profoundly
affected by her life and what she gave them.
Although she herself was much less aware of this,
she started to appreciate it in recent weeks as she received many cards, calls, and emails. These
have continued even after her death as former students and friends have heard the news.
|
|
Her influence was wide spread and includes all the friends she made in her travels, relatives from Seattle,
Toronto, Calabria, and beyond—and of course, all her college students, and the little flute students,
which she often started as preschoolers in her private studio, and their parents. It will take time to
fully appreciate the extent of her legacy.
Jerilee died at her home in Williamstown early Tuesday morning from complications due to breast cancer.
She was first diagnosed in 1994 and was treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The cancer recurred
in 1998 and from that time until shortly before her death she was receiving traditional hormone and
chemotherapy, homeopathic treatments, and traditional Chinese medicine. Her attitude and appearance were so
positive that many people with whom she came in contact simply did not realize that her disease was
progressing. She always pushed herself to the limit in her teaching, her musical performance, and in her
giving to her family and friends. She was always thinking of things to do for others and then following
through on them.
We are preparing a biography, which we hope to post in a few days. It will be only a beginning of what we
will all need to absorb and express about Jerilee’s life. We hope in the mean time and continuing in the
future that visitors to her website will express their own thoughts and reflections through postings they
can share with others.
|
|