Gania Demaree Trotter

1927 - 2021

February 17, 1927 - April 19, 2021 Gania Demaree Trotter died peacefully at Mount San Antonio Gardens, Pomona, CA, in the loving presence of members of her family. As a musician and choral director, an arts development administrator, a political activist, and a devoted friend, Gania's energetic intellect and vibrant personality enriched the lives of every person and community she encountered. Gania grew up in Southern CA and earned a degree in choral music from Occidental College (1949) and a MA in Education from Columbia Teachers College (1952). She married the Rev. Dr. F. Thomas Trotter in 1953 and helped him establish Montclair Methodist Church in 1956. In their 66 years of marriage, they supported each other through a wide array of professional and personal adventures in the service of many communities and callings. They were a loving, supportive and inspiring presence to their children and many extended family members. In her university days, Gania studied choral music with Howard Swan and sang with Robert Shaw. Later, she was choral director at Anaheim High School and Director of Choral Music at John Muir College. In the 1960s and 70s, she directed other choral groups, including the adult and youth choirs at Claremont UMC. After moving to Nashville, TN in 1973, Gania devoted much of her energy to volunteer work in education and social services. She was a principal architect of a group whose work established major reforms in Nashville's public schools. She was an active member of West End UMC, singing in the chancel choir and serving on many committees that shaped the congregational life. Professionally, her work as Director of Development for Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music enabled Gania to merge her love for music, education and community outreach.In 1988, Gania and Tom moved to Anchorage, where Tom was President of Alaska Pacific University, and Gania built up the school's development program. During this time, Gania and Tom were also deeply engaged in the founding and development of Africa University, a Pan-African and United Methodist-related institution in Mutare, Zimbabwe. After retiring in 1995, Gania returned to work as Director of Development for Claremont School of Theology (1999-2001). In her post-retirement years, Gania remained active in political, environmental and arts groups, and held leadership and service positions at Mount San Antonio Gardens. In 2017, she published her memoirs: a book cherished by many family members and friends. Gania is survived by her children, Ruth Elizabeth Trotter (Brett Watterson), Tania Trotter Batson (Greg Batson) and Mary Kathleen Trotter (Robert Kaufman); grand-children Thomas, Daniel and Wesley Batson; step-grandchildren Travis Watterson (Meetra), Ryan Watterson, and Rachel Azevedo (Lucas); and numerous beloved sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Gania was predeceased by her husband Tom, parents Paul Holland and Mary Sunnen Demaree, siblings Kay Bean, Ruth Preston and Daniel Demaree, and daughter Paula Anne. A memorial celebration of Gania's life will be scheduled for this summer.In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:Claremont School of Theology, Office of Advancement and Communications, 1325 N. College Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711-9967. Denote on Check: F. Thomas Trotter ScholarshipAfrica University Development Fund, Africa University Development Office, P.O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007.