FELLMAN, Charlotte 98, of Hyde Park, MA, passed away peacefully after a period of declining health at home on May 9, 2017. Born in Boston on February 4, 1919, Charlotte was the beloved aunt of Emily Wollock of Upton, MA and lifelong friend Dr. Barbara Likens of Wofford Hts, CA and Symphony companion and friend Marianne Connolly of Boston. She was predeceased by her parents Julius and Bessie Fellman, both Russian immigrants and her sister and brother-in-law Reva and Philip Wollock. A graduate of Boston Girl's Latin School, Boston Teachers College and Boston University, Charlotte's life was dedicated to music, education, Tanglewood (where she was fortunate to study under Bernstein, Koussevesky, Britten, and Caldwell while they were there) and her greatest passion, the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Before her retirement from the Boston Public Schools in 1982, Charlotte had a distinguished career for 42 years dedicated to teaching music, mostly as a junior high music teacher. It was during the turmoil of desegregation, through the power of music, that Charlotte was able to bring students of all races to make music together. Later, as Music Coordinator, Charlotte oversaw the teaching of classroom music citywide. She served as Associate Director of the Music Magnet Program bringing professional musicians into the schools to demonstrate their craft and supervised for 17 years SEREL (Summer Elementary Remedial Education Lab) and ended her career as the Associate Director of the BPS Music Department. In addition to her work with the BPS, Charlotte became the Educational Consultant for the BSO Youth Concerts and Boston Symphony Hall, where she felt so much at home. She helped create the Children's corner at the BSH gift shop, aided in starting the BSH tours, lectured on the ancient instrument collection, and was very active in the Harry Ellis Dickson's Youth Concert Series. In addition to her volunteer work at BSO, she was also a subscriber for 79 years and is believed to have been the longest active continuous subscriber and attended her last BSO concert on November 19, 2016. Charlotte's life was music and she brought music to all who entered her life....she has left songs in all our hearts. Special acknowledgements to her loving caretakers, Kim Ahearn, Margie DiSalvio, Dominique LaFleur, Junie Laguerre and the many others who provided tender love and compassion over the past several years. Services will be private. A Memorial Service will be held at a future date.

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Published by Boston Globe from May 10 to May 11, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for CHARLOTTE FELLMAN

17 Entries

Barbara Likens

May 5, 2020

Charlotte and I early in our friendship
spent a week in New York...she
showed me New York and as we
walked along, she would burst
into song...that memory is
constantly in my heart...

Lunch with Charlotte

June Jacobs

February 4, 2018

Charlotte Fellman was an extraordinary woman: teacher, musician, friend. Her candle will continue to burn brightly wherever her former students - and their children and grandchildren are. She imbued so many with a deep love of and appreciation for music. As one of my superiors in the Boston Music Department, she facilitated so many opportunities for my students even though they were instrumental students. We remained friends forever even after I left the system.
I have no doubt her memory will always be a blessing.

With love,
June Jacobs, CCP, FWS

Sonja Durando (Ahlin)

July 31, 2017

I was one of Ms Fellman's students at the Thomas A Edison Junior High in 1959 (9th grade) I loved her music appreciation course and along with my friends performed in the glee club for three years. Her love of music brought such enrichment to my pleasure of classical music. She touched the lives of so many young people.

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Ned and Dee Thomas

July 21, 2017

We were fortunate to sit next to Charlotte at the BSO for many years. She regaled us with stories, information and gems, such as at the holiday season, when Ozawa was not conducting, the women in the orchestra would wear a little bling (in hair or on belt). We shared the same birth month and I always brought her a little something. She laughed the most when I brought a small birthday cake - said she hadn't had one in years. Best of all? She convinced us she was 20 years younger than she actually was!! We've missed you Charlotte - you are singing with the angels now.

Barbara Likens

June 8, 2017

There is more. I met Charlotte when I was 27. I am not 83. WE met in Toledo, Ohio where she was enrolled in a Creative Dramatics workshop which in which I was co-leader.
Charlotte followed us to New York where I intended to attend a drama conference. Instead, i spent the week with Charlotte exploring New York City. There were many
magical moments, but the most magic was that
Charlotte would periodically burst into song
as we walked and talked, slways finding a song that fit the occasion.
Thus began a sixty year friendship of
intense letter writing, summer trips to Boston that were filled with inspiring people, music, symphony, Tanglewood, plays, travel and CHARLOTTE....
In the last few years when she was
unable to move about, she told me she lived for my letters. I wrote to Charlotte every Sunday for years.
Not only was Charlotte the most
cherished friend in my life, she changed
my life inspiring me to surround my life
with music and purpose.
There is no one in the world like her. Those of us who have known and loved her were blessed, she will always be part
of us. I cherish every magical moment and every memory.
There are no words than can capture
the depth of this loss for me, the depth of my devotion and the gratitude in my heart for you, Charlotte, dear, dear friend, thank you for coming into my life.
Barbara Likens

Barbara Likens

June 7, 2017

60 years of friendship. I wrote to Charlotte every Sunday for years. How I miss that , how I miss talking to her how
I miss knowing she is there. Barbara Likens

Dr. Larry Levine

June 5, 2017

My fond memories of Ms. Fellman go back to the fifties at the Thomas A. Edison School, where I and my two sisters had her as a teacher and Music Director there. I played in the band there as did my sister. She used to put on sensational musical productions each year that were always sold out. Ms. Fellman was more than a teacher, she became a close friend of my family and kept in touch with us over the years. A classy woman who definitely touched many of us through the years. May her memory be for a blessing

Charlotte Fellman at age 7

George Lewis

May 15, 2017

Last Symphony November 206

Marianne Connolly

May 15, 2017

Symphony Hall March 2016

Marianne Connolly

May 15, 2017

Dinner with friends May 205

Marianne Connolly

May 15, 2017

Meeting the Maestro Feb. 2016

Marianne Connolly

May 15, 2017

April 2016 at SymphonyHall

Marianne Connolly

May 15, 2017

Thomas Edison Orchestra, 1957

George Lewis

May 14, 2017

I will always have a special place in my heart for Miss Fellman. She was my music teacher at the Thomas Alva Edison School in 1955-1958. Her kindness and encouragement was the impetus for continuing my interests in music and piano. Fortunately I have saved photographs, manuscripts, program booklets and postcards which I will continue to cherish.

Lesley Litman

May 12, 2017

Miss Fellman was our music teacher at Temple Israel in Boston. Just last week we were reminiscing (50+ years later) about how amazing and talented she was. She is remembered fondly and by many! May her memory be for a blessing in your lives.

Josie Kivort

May 12, 2017

My beloved music teacher will be deeply missed but will always be remembered.

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