Neil William Lieurance

August 24, 1943 - March 9, 2014

Neil's full obituary is available on-line at The Seattle Times Obituaries and in print in The Seattle Times, March 16 edition. Another version is available on-line at The Daily News Obituaries.

A public Memorial will be held Sunday, March 30, 3:00 PM, at Shorecrest High School Commons, 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.

All experienced choral singers are encouraged to join in singing together with Neil's friends in the Choir for the Memorial. The only rehearsal will be held in the Shorecrest Commons on the day of the Memorial, March 30, from 1:15 to 2:30. Songs that were favorites of Neil have been chosen. They will be easy to learn and appropriate for the memorial. Sheet music will be provided at the rehearsal.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Mar. 23, 2014.

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Jeffrey Kemper

August 21, 2015

I am devastated. Neil was such a huge part of my life growing up at Shorecrest as I was a member of the choir and Chansons and the theater productions during my time there. Some people manage to show us the way to be a positive force in the lives of others. How to give our lives meaning. Neil was one of the best. I guess class is over, the bell has rung and we are left our lessons and memories. Love you man.

Elizabeth (Beth) Eaton

July 20, 2014

Mr. Lieurance taught by example a wonderful balance between disciplined learning, respect for the composer's work, excellence in execution, and joy in making music come alive with others. I went on to become a professional opera singer and a teacher of voice, and Neil Lieurance has remained an inspiration to this day. More than that, when I arrived in Seattle from Texas as a junior in the Fall of 1973, Mr. Lieurance took this lonely student under his wing and encouraged her in writing and performing her own songs and considering a career in music. He was instrumental in making my last two years of high school happy ones and initiating the career path that I ultimately followed. Thank you for everything, Mr. Lieurance! (Orcadians and Chansons, 1973-75)

June 13, 2014

Neil Lieurance was the best teacher I ever had. In Chansons he was positive, insightful, and wanted the best from us. We did our best to give it. I talked with him about a year ago, and he told me he was into photography. Thank You Neil!

Jeff Hein, Shorecrest class of '69

kevin richart

March 30, 2014

All I can think of to say is Thank You Neil.

Kevin Richart

1983 Shorecrest High School Loch

Steve Autio

March 29, 2014

Neil Lieurance was a great teacher & friend. I grew up in the Rainier Valley of Seattle until we moved to Shoreline just days before the start of 3rd grade. I loved school until that moment. The problem was that the Rainier Valley schools were 1-2 years behind what the Shoreline schools were teaching. I instantly went from being the smartest kid in class to being the dumbest. I was so far behind and kids are cruel, so I went from loving school to hating it. That feeling and my struggle just to keep up lasted until I met Mr. Lieurance during my sophomore year in high school. With his help I learned to love school again. He took an interest in me, praised my talents, and gave me extra responsibilities where I was allowed to shine. My senior year I was his TA and my grades improved overall. Neil also would request my mother, Laura Autio, to be his substitute whenever he took a day off, which was always fun. The year after I graduated, Neil asked me to come back and chaperone the choir trip to the Best of the Northwest Choir competition in Oregon. My junior year we had won 1st place, my senior year we won 2nd place and the year I chaperoned, I believe they won 1st place again. Neil and I had a great time on the trip. I had lost direction since leaving high school, we talked and he helped me regain focus. The next year I went back to school at SCC and achieved nearly straight A's. What is even more incredible is that Mr. Lieurance had this effect on not only me but countless others. I will always cherish and be grateful for all my time spent with the best teacher I ever had, Neil Lieurance.
Go see, call, text, send a card to someone you love. You may never get the chance again.
Neil, I was so lucky to have you in my life. Thank you. I'll miss you.

March 24, 2014

May your family find comfort in drawing close to God at this most difficult time in your lives.
James 4:8.

Scott McLean

March 23, 2014

Neil was a mountain of a man. He was strong, kind, sweet, fierce. He was so supportive of me when I started my teaching career. And everyday when he would greet me, he made it seem like seeing me was the highpoint of his day. Thanks for everything Neil. You are always held close and deeply missed.

Naomi Lieurance

March 22, 2014

After losing my father, Donovan H Lieurance, in 1955 when I was 12 years old, I had no contact with any relative with the name of Lieurance. It was 28 years later that I picked up the phone book and discovered a person by the name of Neil Lieurance. I picked up the phone and called the number. Neil was so wonderful to me and we became friends. We shared much of our childhood memories and compared the family history. My regret is that I did not call him in time to say goodbye. He was a treasure and I am certainly a better person for knowing him.

March 20, 2014

Oh Neil, my dear friend, how I miss you already.

I taught with Neil at Shorecrest High School (1970-1973) and we put on drama productions together like West Side Story, the Miracle Worker and Auntie Mame. Tom Rodrique and Greg Hawkins were also part of our beloved crew. We all LOVED working with those amazing students and being their teachers!

Not only was Neil a genius with music, he had such a LOVE for working with students. His generous and kind spirit, his humor, his
positive attitude and encouragement enriched my life immensely.

I feel so blessed to have spoken with Neil on the phone on the evening of March 8th, the night before he died, Again, he was so kind and wonderful and we reminisced about our friendship and our wonderful Shorecrest days. I was able to tell him how much he meant to me and how much I loved him and admired him.

We are ALL so much better because Neil Lieurance was in our lives!
Blessings! Linda Seppa Salisbury

Mr. Lieurance was the best. Shorecrest High School 1973

Tim Miller

March 19, 2014

Lois Aylesworth Yale

March 18, 2014

Though we didn't stay in touch after graduation from Western, Neil remained one of my favorite memories of my time in the music department there ~ always a gracious presence! I was privileged to hear his SPU women's choir and have a conversation with him within the past few years. He was a joy to know ~ blessings to his family! Well done, good and faithful servant!

David Walker

March 17, 2014

I have known Neil through most of our shared childhood and all of our adult years. In that time, I have met many people who I admire, respect, and who I am honored to call friend. Neil was at the top of that list and I will miss him greatly.
I have never met anyone who had the combination of integrity, honesty, humility, leadership, and warmth that Neil possessed. The world has lost a unique and exceptional person.

Jane Corley

March 17, 2014

Aloha, Neil & mahalo for your hospitality...until we meet again...

Howard Bono

March 17, 2014

Some say the measure of a man's life is who will miss him when he is gone. Neil touched thousands of lives directly and indirectly. He taught me the power of persistence to get things right and that perfection is within my grasp. In turn I have taught this to my Son. I consider Neil to be one of the most influential men in my life and will miss his warm, quiet strength of character.

March 17, 2014

Mr. Lieurance was the best. Under his direction, I was positive our High School Choirs were better than most College Choirs. He gave so much, expected lots and made you proud. Thank you Mr Lieurance for all you taught us. Orcadians and Chansons at Shorecrest (71-74)

Karen Hornbeck-Patrick

March 16, 2014

I enjoyed being in Neil's classes during my 3 years at Shorecrest. The choir classes were fun and we learned so much from him! But, Chansons was my favorite part of my time there! We were a close knit bunch and made the most of concerts, trips and music contests he in which he entered us! It saddens me greatly that he is gone from us!

March 16, 2014

I learned from Neil how to focus, listen and breath at the proper time, skills that have been with me since. Thank you Mr. Lieurance, for all you were for me and so many others as our director. Kathy Costello Shorecrest class of 1980.

Roxanne

March 16, 2014

Orcadians and Chansons at Shorecrest (76-78) taught me about music and responsibility. Mr. Lieurance set a high bar for us, and I strove to live up to his expectations. I didn't love much about high school, but I loved those classes. Mr. Lieurance had a profound impact on so many of us. I hope his friends and family can take some solace in knowing that.

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