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Ruth McDonald Obituary
She was born in St Josephs, Missouri and was the daughter of Muriel Hockett and Harry Duncan. Her husband, Charles McDonald passed many years ago. Survivors include: Her daughters, Karen F Sandys of Berkeley, CA; Patricia E. Shourd of Oakland, CA; and her son James Michael Sandys of Laguna Beach, Ca. Also, her grandchildren, Chris Rapp, Martha Kiracofe, Sarah Shourd, Patrick Sandys, Hugh Sandys and her great grandchildren, Nate Eve, Carl Webster and Graham Webster.
Her lifetime accomplishments were many. After early study with her, mother, she studied at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music from 1933-1937.She received her bachelors in 1941. She became a student of Carl Friedburg at the Julliard School of Music and was awarded a Graduate Artist Performance Diploma in 1945.She was an associate professor of Music at Georgia State University for 24 years. She played a leadership role in the National Federation of Music Club and the Mu Phi Epsilon at Georgia State. She toured and performed as a concert pianist extensively both in this country and abroad. She was an affiliate artist at Emory University after her retirement from Georgia State and spent her last years in Athens, Ga.
Memorial services will be held 10 AM, Friday, March 9th at the Watkinsville First United Methodist Church in Watkinsville, GA. In In lieu of flowers, her family is requesting donations be made to Scholarship Fund for Young Artists, Atlanta Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, Attn: Joanne Haden-Miller, 24 28th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.
Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com
Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ruth McDonald
Sponsored by Richard Bass, former student and one of many longtime friends .
4 Entries
Jonathan Smith
March 28, 2012
I studied with Mrs. McDonald at GSU '77-'81. I greatly needed the encouragement and positive influence she had on my musical life. During my time at GSU, she did a recital of all the Chopin Waltzes, and I will never forget how her very small hands were so quick that she could span large chords in such a way that they sounded unbroken. Another special memory was of her playing the Ives Concord Sonata, which makes use of a block of wood to produce a huge tonal cluster. It was sort of a signature piece for her, and of course she played it with fire. I will always remember Ruth McDonald.
Donald & Cheryl Cheatham
March 9, 2012
Altough we met Ms. McDonald in her later years and knew her for only a few years, she will be remembered by us for quite some time. She was always friendly and gracious to us and others alike. We will miss her input and smile.
cary lewis
March 7, 2012
Ruth was my colleague for many years at Georgia State University. I remember her incredible fluency and depth of experience in so many styles. She was a gifted jazz pianist, a passionate supporter of women composers, and a proponent of modern music in general. Her recording of the Ives "Concord" sonata was a critically acclaimed event! And she accomplished all these musical and pianistic feats with hands so small she could not reach an octave! She was a supportive colleague through all those years at GSU.
Bernstein Funeral Home
March 7, 2012
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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