Betty Mae Baccarini (née Forde) died peacefully at Heather Pines Assisted Living on June 30, 2016, in Clarkston, MI, at the age of 91. Her family and friends remember her as a kind, loving soul who not only taught but truly lived her Christian faith. Betty was born on March 9, 1925, in St. Francis, MN to Ralph and Ausilga (Sorenson) Forde. She graduated from Starbuck High School in 1943, followed by Luther College (Decorah, IA) with a degree in Music.
Betty's talent as a pianist was evident at an early age. Her first solo piano recital was given at the age of 12. Endowed with an innate talent in piano performance, she was recruited by both her mother (a violinist and violin instructor) and father (director of several town bands) to travel and accompany them in their endeavors. She continued to develop her great skill as a pianist, often practicing several hours daily. A dedicated Lutheran, passionate about her faith, she loved serving God with her gift of music in and beyond the church. After graduating from Luther, she continued graduate work at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), then moved to New York City, where she studied privately with instructors from Juilliard, and performed at Carnegie Hall on three different occasions. In 1955, while teaching at St. John's College in Winfield, KS, she met and married John William Baccarini. After moving to Oklahoma City, Betty began teaching music at Oklahoma City University. Over the next seven years, the couple welcomed four children into their home. She continued teaching vocal music at high schools and colleges and giving private piano and voice lessons. She also composed and arranged music and worked with local musicians to perform with their voices and instruments in church and lay venues, accompanying them on her beloved piano.
Betty was active in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, American Association of University Women and often volunteered at senior centers, giving presentations on classical music. Betty was preceded in death by her husband and three brothers, Ralph, John and Richard Forde.
She is survived by her sister Nora (Forde) Hendrickson, of Decorah, IA; four children: Louis Baccarini of Elmhurst, IL; Laura Wozniak (Michael) of Davisburg, MI; Anna Rosinia of Elmhurst, IL; and Michael Baccarini (Kimberly) of Atlanta, GA; eight grandchildren: Michelle Baccarini, Alyssa Gunther, Autumn Peters, Camille Adair, Raquel Carson, Bianca Rosinia, Michael Rosinia and Theo Baccarini; and thirteen great-grandchildren: Felix, Lola, Savannah, Darby, Zoe, Luke, Curtis, Kate, Jacob, Layla, Daniel, Caleb and Cameron. A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 10:00 am, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow, at St. John Lutheran Church, 410 N. Cross St., Wheaton, IL 60187. Pastor Marcus Nelson will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Betty's life. The family would like to thank Jill Dixon and the caregivers at Heather Pines Adult Care for their dedicated, loving, gentle care of Betty
Betty's talent as a pianist was evident at an early age. Her first solo piano recital was given at the age of 12. Endowed with an innate talent in piano performance, she was recruited by both her mother (a violinist and violin instructor) and father (director of several town bands) to travel and accompany them in their endeavors. She continued to develop her great skill as a pianist, often practicing several hours daily. A dedicated Lutheran, passionate about her faith, she loved serving God with her gift of music in and beyond the church. After graduating from Luther, she continued graduate work at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), then moved to New York City, where she studied privately with instructors from Juilliard, and performed at Carnegie Hall on three different occasions. In 1955, while teaching at St. John's College in Winfield, KS, she met and married John William Baccarini. After moving to Oklahoma City, Betty began teaching music at Oklahoma City University. Over the next seven years, the couple welcomed four children into their home. She continued teaching vocal music at high schools and colleges and giving private piano and voice lessons. She also composed and arranged music and worked with local musicians to perform with their voices and instruments in church and lay venues, accompanying them on her beloved piano.
Betty was active in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, American Association of University Women and often volunteered at senior centers, giving presentations on classical music. Betty was preceded in death by her husband and three brothers, Ralph, John and Richard Forde.
She is survived by her sister Nora (Forde) Hendrickson, of Decorah, IA; four children: Louis Baccarini of Elmhurst, IL; Laura Wozniak (Michael) of Davisburg, MI; Anna Rosinia of Elmhurst, IL; and Michael Baccarini (Kimberly) of Atlanta, GA; eight grandchildren: Michelle Baccarini, Alyssa Gunther, Autumn Peters, Camille Adair, Raquel Carson, Bianca Rosinia, Michael Rosinia and Theo Baccarini; and thirteen great-grandchildren: Felix, Lola, Savannah, Darby, Zoe, Luke, Curtis, Kate, Jacob, Layla, Daniel, Caleb and Cameron. A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 10:00 am, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow, at St. John Lutheran Church, 410 N. Cross St., Wheaton, IL 60187. Pastor Marcus Nelson will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Betty's life. The family would like to thank Jill Dixon and the caregivers at Heather Pines Adult Care for their dedicated, loving, gentle care of Betty
Betty Mae Baccarini (née Forde) died peacefully at Heather Pines Assisted Living on June 30, 2016, in Clarkston, MI, at the age of 91. Her family and friends remember her as a kind, loving soul who not only taught but truly lived her Christian faith. Betty was born on March 9, 1925, in St. Francis, MN to Ralph and Ausilga (Sorenson) Forde. She graduated from Starbuck High School in 1943, followed by Luther College (Decorah, IA) with a degree in Music.
Betty's talent as a pianist was evident at an early age. Her first solo piano recital was given at the age of 12. Endowed with an innate talent in piano performance, she was recruited by both her mother (a violinist and violin instructor) and father (director of several town bands) to travel and accompany them in their endeavors. She continued to develop her great skill as a pianist, often practicing several hours daily. A dedicated Lutheran, passionate about her faith, she loved serving God with her gift of music in and beyond the church. After graduating from Luther, she continued graduate work at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), then moved to New York City, where she studied privately with instructors from Juilliard, and performed at Carnegie Hall on three different occasions. In 1955, while teaching at St. John's College in Winfield, KS, she met and married John William Baccarini. After moving to Oklahoma City, Betty began teaching music at Oklahoma City University. Over the next seven years, the couple welcomed four children into their home. She continued teaching vocal music at high schools and colleges and giving private piano and voice lessons. She also composed and arranged music and worked with local musicians to perform with their voices and instruments in church and lay venues, accompanying them on her beloved piano.
Betty was active in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, American Association of University Women and often volunteered at senior centers, giving presentations on classical music. Betty was preceded in death by her husband and three brothers, Ralph, John and Richard Forde.
She is survived by her sister Nora (Forde) Hendrickson, of Decorah, IA; four children: Louis Baccarini of Elmhurst, IL; Laura Wozniak (Michael) of Davisburg, MI; Anna Rosinia of Elmhurst, IL; and Michael Baccarini (Kimberly) of Atlanta, GA; eight grandchildren: Michelle Baccarini, Alyssa Gunther, Autumn Peters, Camille Adair, Raquel Carson, Bianca Rosinia, Michael Rosinia and Theo Baccarini; and thirteen great-grandchildren: Felix, Lola, Savannah, Darby, Zoe, Luke, Curtis, Kate, Jacob, Layla, Daniel, Caleb and Cameron. A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 10:00 am, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow, at St. John Lutheran Church, 410 N. Cross St., Wheaton, IL 60187. Pastor Marcus Nelson will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Betty's life. The family would like to thank Jill Dixon and the caregivers at Heather Pines Adult Care for their dedicated, loving, gentle care of Betty
Betty's talent as a pianist was evident at an early age. Her first solo piano recital was given at the age of 12. Endowed with an innate talent in piano performance, she was recruited by both her mother (a violinist and violin instructor) and father (director of several town bands) to travel and accompany them in their endeavors. She continued to develop her great skill as a pianist, often practicing several hours daily. A dedicated Lutheran, passionate about her faith, she loved serving God with her gift of music in and beyond the church. After graduating from Luther, she continued graduate work at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), then moved to New York City, where she studied privately with instructors from Juilliard, and performed at Carnegie Hall on three different occasions. In 1955, while teaching at St. John's College in Winfield, KS, she met and married John William Baccarini. After moving to Oklahoma City, Betty began teaching music at Oklahoma City University. Over the next seven years, the couple welcomed four children into their home. She continued teaching vocal music at high schools and colleges and giving private piano and voice lessons. She also composed and arranged music and worked with local musicians to perform with their voices and instruments in church and lay venues, accompanying them on her beloved piano.
Betty was active in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, American Association of University Women and often volunteered at senior centers, giving presentations on classical music. Betty was preceded in death by her husband and three brothers, Ralph, John and Richard Forde.
She is survived by her sister Nora (Forde) Hendrickson, of Decorah, IA; four children: Louis Baccarini of Elmhurst, IL; Laura Wozniak (Michael) of Davisburg, MI; Anna Rosinia of Elmhurst, IL; and Michael Baccarini (Kimberly) of Atlanta, GA; eight grandchildren: Michelle Baccarini, Alyssa Gunther, Autumn Peters, Camille Adair, Raquel Carson, Bianca Rosinia, Michael Rosinia and Theo Baccarini; and thirteen great-grandchildren: Felix, Lola, Savannah, Darby, Zoe, Luke, Curtis, Kate, Jacob, Layla, Daniel, Caleb and Cameron. A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 10:00 am, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow, at St. John Lutheran Church, 410 N. Cross St., Wheaton, IL 60187. Pastor Marcus Nelson will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Betty's life. The family would like to thank Jill Dixon and the caregivers at Heather Pines Adult Care for their dedicated, loving, gentle care of Betty
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