Catherine B. "Kitty" Lough

Catherine B. “Kitty” (Bell) Rutledge-Lough, a piano teacher and performer of national renown, age 89 of Elwood, died January 30, 2007 at Community Parkview Care Center in Elwood following an extended illness. She was born on April 15, 1917 in Redkey, Indiana, the daughter of Arthur E. and Mary E. (Winship) Bell. She was a retired Music Professor from Ball State University where she taught for many years as well as a private piano teacher in the Elwood community.

She was a 1935 graduate of Elwood High School. She studied music with Bomar Cramer of Butler University’s Jordan Conservatory. She also studied with other teachers including Rudolph Ganz of the Chicago Musical College, Isadore Philippe of New York, Rosina Lhevenne of the Julliard School of Music in New York, Denise Lassimonne of London, and Madame Boulangee of Fountainbleau, France. Mrs. Lough’s first teaching post was at the Bomar Cramer Studios in Indianapolis. She then became a graduate assistant at Indiana University. She joined the piano faculty at Ball State University and retired after 39 years of teaching. Throughout those years and until late in life, she continued as a private teacher in Elwood. As a performer, she was known throughout the state of Indiana and performed as a soloist in England. She and another Ball State faculty member, Gloria Griner, appeared as duo pianists for several years. She performed with Arthur Fiedler, conductor of the Boston Pops, and with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Elwood, Tri Kappa Sorority, Mu Phi Epsilon National Honorary Sorority, Indianapolis Matinee Musicale, Chicago Fine Arts Association, and the Indiana and National Music Teachers Association.

Survivors include: Granddaughter – Catherine and husband Clay Fague of Elwood; 2 Sisters – Gloria Crum of Downey, CA and Ruth and husband Mike Casey of Green River, WY; 2 Great Grandchildren – Macy Fague and Bryce Longnecker both of Elwood; Special friends – Cathy Goins of Elwood, Bruce and Robin Hartley of Elwood, and Tom and Becky Moser and family of Elwood.

She was preceded in death by: Parents; First Husband – John M. Rutledge; Second Husband – Robert H. Lough; Daughter – Carole Lynne (Rutledge) Parker in 1995; 2 Brothers – A. Arthur Bell and James Bell, a pilot in the U.S. Air Force who was killed during WWII; and Sister – Rosemary Gregg.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 3, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church, 1500 North A Street, Elwood with Rev. Bill Mathys, Rev. Cindy Osgood, and Rev. Chris Dare officiating. Burial will take place in the Elwood City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 PM Friday, February 2, 2007 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home and one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Music Department through the funeral home. Online condolences to her family may be made at www.copherfeslermay.com.