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Apple recently spoke fondly of the family of her students and their search for a piano. Maybe that would be an avenue for exploration.

Malkin, I think it's a great idea. Even $10 from a person will be $6,000 if we get 600 people to sign up for it.

Apple touched so many people's lives in so many ways. She inspired me to keep writing about Noona and for that I am very thankful. I feel she moved people to seek out their passions and live their lives to the fullest, or at least think about new possibilities. She shared with us her greatest joys, her most difficult times, her projects, her every day thoughts. Although I never met Apple, I feel I got to know her better than many people I know in "real life".

I was once told that if you are a very selfish person the moment you die, you cease to exist. If you are a good person those who met you may remember you and talk about you. The truly great people touch the lives of people who never met them and they live on in not only in memory but in adding to the richness of others lives. Apple is clearly one of those great people.

I am relatively new to PW, but read Apple's posts regularly. Apple was truly an amazing lady and loved by so many. I agree that a donation in her memory to a cancer research organization or to the hospice that provided comfort would be a nice idea.

She will be missed!

Oh no! I always liked her attitude here, she was kind and encouraging. My sympathies go out to her friends and family.

Announcement of funeral service

http://www.amosfamily.com/2013/01/mary-magdalen-bryde-stevermer/

I'm of two minds re: what kind of memorial PW might want to put together. I like Steve's idea of pooling donation for a piano to be given to a deserving student; I think it's a cause apple* would have dearly loved.

But I also noticed that the funeral announcement stated that her family was suggesting memorial contributions to go to a fund for her children's college educations... and that is a very important and deserving cause, too.

That's a very generous offer, Steve and it appeals to me too. Everyone who cares about piano playing has at some time, thought about what a shame it is that talented potential young players are often unable to follow through because of the expense of an instrument.

I never forgot meeting a young graduate student at our local university who was standing behind my ten year old son as we waited to attend a concert. He commented sadly that he would never be able to play as well as he could, because his family had been unable to allow him to begin his piano studies at a young age (my son, very talented, began at age six).

I am sure this cause would be dear to Mary's heart.
I find myself in a quandary, though, since her family (I guess, her husband) has clearly expressed a preference for donations to his children's college fund.

I am kind of wondering whether Mary only "belongs" to her family...Swallowed up in such a fund, I don't see any way that we are commemorating Mary as an individual.

Again, I agree with this sentiment and approve this idea. OTOH I feel it would be appropriate to also appeal to other fora she participated in and cared about: TNCR, WTF and BCO (for Breast Cancer) and FaceBook. All these online presences dear to her, are currently full of caring, bereft friends many of whom I'm sure want to "do something".

Perhaps we could leave it up to them, whether they wanted to contribute to a piano fund or her children's college fund.

there's no reason that piano world can't have its own memorium to apple. if friends and family wish to contribute to the childrens' education, i don't think that whatever this forum feels is a fitting honor for her will take away from that.

What sad news.
Apple was one of the first people to welcome me here. She always added a lightness and kindness to every thread she contributed to.
Rest in peace.

No reason, per se, except that there's always the risk that goals will be split and it will be impossible to implement the PW (and?) memorial because of insufficient funds and involvement.

This thread for instance (I realize the Pianist Corner is also open to "Apple" posts now), has gotten only a small fraction of the responses any one of the other four fora have garnered so far.

If the math isn't clear, I'm saying we have here at most 5% of the responses on the other fora put together - granted that there is significant overlap.

Pianos aren't cheap but I think it would be entirely possible to afford one with the whole population behind it (requiring plans about how to go about it). Otherwise, not possible.

Of course, there's also the possibility of paying instead for lessons. Something of this sort was done on WTF (and TNCR"?) for "Wacki Iraqi".

I'm unable to locate a previous post I wanted to quote - having to do with a so-called "apple award" which would be entirely honorary (for posters) and dedicated to PW alone.

I like that idea too! Sorry I can't find the original suggestion.

It would be a big undertaking, but might I suggest the donation of an Estonia to St. Joseph Catholic Church where she was very active.

There are certainly enough dealers at PW who carry Estonia and would certainly be able to help with negotiations directly with Mr. Laul.

It would be a massive effort - A great tribute to a great person.

So sad to read of Apple's passing. I always enjoyed seeing that peculiar, friendly signature.

Peace and condolences to her family and friends.

I am so sad to hear this. She touched people through a medium we can’t always fully understand, and I imagine she will continue to do just that.

Nancy

This is very sad news, Apple was always so positive and supportive in every way she could have been to all she encountered here. I am sorry I never met her.

R.I.P. Apple

My God bless her soul and provide peace to her family.

This was in her Obit.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Stevermer Children College Fund, 10901 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203.

Here is her Obit.


http://www.amosfamily.com/2013/01/mary-magdalen-bryde-stevermer/