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Maria Caruso Obituary

Maria Caruso, formerly of Pittsburgh, passed suddenly on Thursday, May 12, 2016. She was the beloved mother of Musetta Durkee and William Porter Durkee V; grandmother of William Porter Durkee VI; wife of the late William P. Durkee IV; devoted daughter of Joy Caruso; and dearest sister of Carole and Ralph Caruso. She loved and was loved by her family, friends, and many students. We are all deeply saddened by her loss. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all the students and families Maria has worked with over the years. The family would also like to thank the many family members and friends for their outpouring of love and support.
A gathering in celebration of her life will be held Saturday, May 21, in Pittsburgh, in the afternoon at a private home. For details, please contact [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in Maria's memory to Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, 600 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222; Carnegie Mellon School of Music, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213; Boys & Girls Club of Western PA, 5432 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201.

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

Published by Pittsburgh Tribune Review on May 19, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Maria Caruso

21 Entries

alison charie

August 13, 2022

I only heard of this recently, and am so very sorry and sad to learn of Maria's passing. She was a wonderful person.My earnest condolances to her lovely, kind family.

Jeffrey Griglak

July 26, 2020

I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Maria Caruso. We were very good friends while attending the Carnegie-Mellon University School of Music. An extraordinarily talented pianist, I had the honor of having Maria accompany me on my oboe recitals, juries and basically... whenever I needed a pianist. She was unparalleled in her technique, musicianship, kindness and unwavering support. Maria also provided the music for my sister's wedding held in a small rural community in Western Pennsylvania. Needless to say, the attendees had never heard a more stunning selection of music. An extraordinarily beautiful woman, both inside and out Maria was always the epitome of kindness, warmth and consideration. My sincere condolences to her family. She was indeed one of the great ones. My her memory be a blessing to all who knew her.

steve abel

February 26, 2017

My condolences. Maria was a friend at Carnegie Mellon. Wishing the family all the best.

Mary Spiro

January 23, 2017

I am so sorry to hear about Maria. We were ballet students together in high school and she would often play for our ballet class as well. Maria was one of the kindest people I have ever known. I have not seen her in many years, but was so shocked to hear of her passing. Peace to Maria's family.

Marc Valen

September 23, 2016

Maria,
You will be missed

August 21, 2016

My deepest sympathy to Maria's family. I danced with Maria throughout middle and high school years. She was a beautiful person both inside and out as well as a lovely dancer and pianist. May she spread her beauty in the heavens.
Marianne MacCamy Trachok

Anne Lagalante

June 6, 2016

Dear family of Maria,

I want to express my deepest sympathy and Love for your dear beloved mother, Maria. She was my piano teacher when I was a young girl. She was the best part of my Saturday mornings and she will always have an honored place in my heart and mind. God Bless you and God Bless Maria.

Susan Mallet

June 5, 2016

So saddened by the loss of Maria. We shared many of our younger years together: ballet, flute, Allderdice, band, and piano. She is remembered as kind, bright, talented, and simply lovely. Maria, you are in my prayers.

June 2, 2016

To Musetta, Will, Ralph, Carol and dear Joy. My thoughts prayers and love to you all. So, so sorry- rest in peace dear Maria. Aunt Rose. California

Germaine Caruso-Knowlan

May 24, 2016

To my cousins, Ralph and Carole, please accept my deepest condolences on Maria's passing. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Jerald Caruso

May 23, 2016

Musseta and Will
We are saddened by the news of Maria's passing.
We loved her dearly and have many years of fond memories.
Maria will be forever in our thoughts and prayers.
Love you
Jerry and Bridie

Tela Zasloff

May 22, 2016

Maria has a special place all her own in the story of our family. All four Zasloff daughters took piano lessons from her throughout their school years in Pittsburgh, and it wasn't only how to play the piano that they learned, but also how to listen to and enjoy the beauty of music, and how to work toward their own individual abilities and self-expression. Maria was a nurturing and inspired teacher and prime example of a true artist. We loved her. She appears in all our family albums over those years and in our conversations, and was a strong influence on all of us. It is sad that she died so young.

Tela Zasloff. Daughters: Anne, Eva, Beth, Karen. Joe Zasloff, deceased, Dec. 17, 2014.

Richard Franklin

May 21, 2016

I met Maria in college at CMU. We were in many classes together. She was sweet, kind, beautiful, and of course, hugely talented. She studied piano with my father, Harry, and blew everyone away with an amazing performance of Chopin's G Minor Ballade at a freshman recital. Besides the piano she was proficient on the flute and in ballet.

Maria also came to our wedding.

We are so sorry your loss.

Cecily Franklin

May 21, 2016

I remember Maria from childhood. We didn't go to the same school, but we both competed in the Carnegie Awards. Her father (with white hair) would bring Maria (with blonde braids) to the piano competitions. She would wear mittens or blow on her hands to keep them warm until it was her turn to play.

Years later, we were both piano majors at Carnegie Mellon. She studied with the late, great Harry Franklin, who would become my father-in-law. She came to our wedding in 1975. At CMU, Maria won the annual Concerto Competition and performed a Beethoven piano concerto with the school orchestra.

Maria was beautiful and multi-talented, and she will be missed.

May 20, 2016

Dear Durkee family, may your Mother rest in peace. Your friends and neighbors -the Appleman family.

Terri Palumbo

May 20, 2016

It is with deep sadness that I express my sincere condolences to Joy, Musetta, Will, Katie and Little Will for your loss of Maria.

To know Maria was to love her. She was one of the most beautiful people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I became close to her as the mom of one of her students, Katie Palumbo. She was always there for both of us, always knew the right thing to say. Katie was greatly influenced by Maria, and has gone on to become a professional pianist, private teacher and Alexander Technique teacher.

I will always hold a very special place in my heart for Maria. Rest in Peace, dear friend. The afterlife will be graced by your heavenly chords.

Audrey Glickman

May 19, 2016

Sympathy to the family. May her memory be a blessing to you, and may the music she made continue.

J S

May 19, 2016

Our deepest sympathies to the Caruso family. May God comfort your hearts at this most difficult time. (2 Thessalonians 2:16,17)

Nanette Solomon

May 19, 2016

Dear Joy, Musetta and Will,
We were so shocked and sorry to hear about Maria. We cherished our friendship, with her and really missed her when she withdrew herself from her friends. All our heartfelt condolences at this painful time.

Nanette and Jonathan Solomon

The White Family

May 19, 2016

Sending our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Caruso family. May the God of all comfort strengthen you to cope and endure this difficult time

Susan Pearlstein

May 19, 2016

I am so sorry to hear of Maria's passing. I went to grade and high school with her and have wonderful memories of her beauty, talent, intelligence, and grace. And, she was a good friend! My sympathy to the entire family.

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