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Nancy Bidlack Obituary

Nancy Shook Bidlack
Nancy Shook Bidlack, 65, of Bethlehem PA passed away in her home, on December 23, 2012 after a long battle with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrigs Disease. Nancy was a professional cellist, music teacher, and performer. She taught in the Lehigh University and Moravian College music departments for many years, and also privately. In addition, Nancy was principal cellist of the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra for the duration of its existence. She was also principal cellist of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and performed regularly with the Bethlehem Bach Festival Orchestra. Nancy and her husband, Jerry Bidlack, founded the Young Peoples Philharmonic and the Junior String Philharmonic in 1976, touching the lives of many young musicians in the Lehigh Valley. She conducted the JSP from its inception until the spring of 2010. She most recently engaged eight young musicians from these orchestras in a string quartet program. In the summer of 1970, Nancy began teaching and coaching at Kinhaven Music School in Weston, Vermont, where she also met her husband, Jerry. She became director of admissions in 1981, and later founded Kinhavens Junior session in 1990 for middle school students. In 2004, Nancy added to her duties the position of Director of Kinhaven. She resigned all her positions after the summer of 2010, due to the progression of her illness. Nancys battle with ALS was valiant and full of courage. She kept her spirits up, which we believe contributed to the unusually long course of her disease. Many friends and family came to enjoy her company, her laugh, her wit, and her glamour. Survivors: She is survived by her husband, Jerry of Bethlehem; her daughter, Molly of Philadelphia; and two sons, Robert who currently resides in Brazil, and Douglas of Bethlehem. Nancy and Jerrys son, Benjamin, predeceased her. She also leaves behind two sisters, Mary Shook Diegert of Vestal, NY and Christine Shook of New York City. Services: A memorial service will be held in Packer Memorial Chapel on Lehigh University Campus on Saturday, January 5 at 1 p.m. Arrangement entrusted to the Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.longfuneralhome.com Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kinhaven Music School (6 Elberta Road, Maplewood, NJ 07040) or the Young Peoples Philharmonic of the Lehigh Valley P.O. Box 1614, Bethlehem, PA 18016.

Published by Morning Call on Dec. 28, 2012.
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Nancy was such an inspiration and influence on me as a young musician/cellist back in the 70's! Being in PYO and playing with the best student musicians in the Lehigh Valley was such an awesome experience for me and it would never have come to pass were it not for Nancy and her husband! Through that experience, I gained the confidence and background that propelled me into my teaching career! The world is a much different place because of Nancy's ripple in the pond and she will be greatly missed. My sincerest condolences to Jerry and family on the loss of such a shining star.

Lisa Rogers

January 5, 2013

Rest in peace, Nancy. You were a pleasure to work with and you brought joy to many people's lives.

Nancy Clark

January 4, 2013

Music in the Lehigh Valley wouldn't be what it is today without what Nancy helped to start. It was a pleasure to have known her since I was a youngster learning the violin through my years at Lehigh. We'll miss you Nancy! Thanks again for all you've done for young musicians over the years and for the inspiration you provided! My sincerest condolences to Jerry and the entire family. RIP Nancy.

Christopher Lorenzetti

January 4, 2013

Bless you, Nancy! We had so much fun those first two years of YSO. I developed so much confidence as a cellist before heading off to college. And you were such a fun stand partner in Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra. Thanks for everything!

Hope MacMurtrie Bowling

January 2, 2013

I fondly remember all my years with your family,espicially with Nancy. God Bless you Jerry and Molly. Toma Doll (Giuffre)

January 2, 2013

I have enjoyed the privilege of having Nancy's friendship, support, and guidance for many years. Both of my sons also were led and inspired by Nancy. I have her to thank for the musical and career paths I have followed, and will miss her so very much.

Caroline Dawson

January 2, 2013

Nancy was a wonderful musician, teacher and colleague. It was an honor to know and work with her on many occasions as music faculty at Moravian College. My thoughts and prayers are with Jerry, Molly and the rest of her family. May you rest in peace Nancy.

Barbara Thompson

January 1, 2013

My sincere sympathy to the family and especially to Molly who I learned to know when she was in Kindergarden and a friend of my daughter, Kristina. My tho'ts and prayers go out to you. May the memories of your wonderful mother bring you comfort in these days.

Irene Dorville

January 1, 2013

Please accept our sincere sympathies for your loss.

The Cappelloni - Breedlove family,
Paul, Donna & Maddy

Donna Breedlove

December 30, 2012

Nancy was such an amazing musician. She inspired so many children. I will never forget meeting her in 4th grade when I auditioned for JSP and then played for YPP back in the 80's. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. Peace, Felicia Salventi Pompa

December 30, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with the Bidlack family. Nancy was a wonderful person, who will be missed.

As a French horn and violin player in the youth orchestra, I learned many things about being a musician from Nancy. She was inspirational in many ways. I so enjoyed my tenure in the orchestra that helped me grow into the musician I am today.
Rest in peace.

Maribeth Scurry Radtke

December 30, 2012

Tom Doyle

December 29, 2012

Our condolences and prayers to the Bidlack family-

The Rizzo Family: Phillip, Melinda and Adam

Melinda Rizzo

December 29, 2012

We will always remember Nancy from the time we first met her and how she graciously auditioned our teen age daughter, Stephani Bell, for the violin section of the new Youth Symphony in Bethlehem. Nancy was so full of kind words and encouragement for Stephani who thought she wasn't talented or worthy enough to play in that newly formed orchestra. Little did our daughter know that she would become the principal violinist and was chosen to perform a difficult classical concerto with the very orchestra she thought she would not be accepted into. Nancy's constant encouragement and teaching her how to perform in public was the foundation for Stephani to go on to win numerous awards and eventually an acceptance into the Julliard School of Music in NYC. There can be no praise greater than than those that love and guide our youth into one of the finest aspects of life...that of love of great music. Mrs. and Mr. James Bell and daughter Stephani.

December 29, 2012

We will always remember her.She was amazing. Our sympathy.
Carol Leferovich & Richard Benert

December 29, 2012

It was an honor to work with Nancy as cello faculty at Kinhaven for two years. What an inspiring, passionate, talented, fun and wise lady. Thank you Nancy for sharing the pure love of music with countless musicians of all ages, your legacy is endless.

Sally Singer Tuttle

December 29, 2012

Nancy inspired so many young musicians and contributed endlessly to our community. She will be missed.

Gisela and Kelsey Leck

December 28, 2012

My thoughts and prayers for you and your family Mr. Bidlack. I was in JSP with Nancy and YPP. She was a huge part of growing up with the violin. Peace

caroline wasielewski

December 28, 2012

We will never forget Nancy. I so appreciate the music and friendship we shared. My family is sending its love to the whole Bidlack family.

Loran Diehl Saito

December 28, 2012

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