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Ioana Dumitriu Obituary
At 3:50AM on July 17, 2009 surrounded by her family and several dear friends, our beloved Ioana Dumitriu passed away quietly. Her stay at the Sherman House Hospice was to be less than one day. Hospice Nurses Amy and Bonnie eased her transition while comforting our broken hearts. Ioana was born to a poor farming family in Darmanesti, Romania on June 20, 1950. At the tender age of six years old, she was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Emeric Farcas. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a physician. However, blessed with a remarkable memory, a love for listening to music and a perfect sense of pitch (discovered by accident) she was led to play the violin by her adoptive parents and early music teachers. In 1979, husband Dan fulfilled his dream of defecting from communist Romania to the United States. She made the painful decision to leave her parents and join Dan the following year along with their daughter Monica. In 1981, with a Master's degree in violin performance Ioana secured a position in The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. The family became United States citizens in 1986. Ioana had been a member of the Phoenix Symphony for almost three decades until January, 2009. Ioana's passions included cooking, counseling, knitting, and caring for her animal companions Lala (dog) and Noah (bird). She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Dan; children Monica, Roger, Robert, and Charles ("my fourth child") and her only grandchild, Zion Noah Henderson. Services will be held Friday, July 24, 2009 at 1:00pm at Desert Hills Mortuary at 6500 E. Bell Rd., Scottsdale, AZ. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra will graciously dedicate their performance of the 9th Symphony by Beethoven on September 11, 12 and 13, 2009 to Ioana.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ioana Dumitriu
Diane Jackson
July 24, 2009
I am writing this while Ioana's memorial service is taking place. I regret that I am unable to attend. She was such a wonderful and brave woman! I was Ioana's stand partner in the Phoenix Symphony when she first started. When she was pregnant, right now I'm not sure with which son, I bought a diaper bag and filled it with baby "goodies." I had the bag next to her chair when she arrived for a rehearsal. I believe it was on stage, so must have been a dress rehearsal. She had such fun looking at all of the things, & I am sure that she used them, too. I had to leave the orchestra in 1983, not too long after she joined the orchestra. But, we kept in touch and she came to my home a few times for visits. I moved to Prescott after retiring from teaching in 1999. We were able to see each other and visit at the PSO concerts during the concert series each year. I talked to her on the phone a few times after she went on disability and no longer came to Prescott.
Ioana, you were such a positive and strong woman! I am sure you are playing that violin up in heaven right now. God bless you!
My thoughts and prayers are with Dan and all of your family and loved ones at this time.
Diane Jackson
Paula Kulina
July 24, 2009
My husband and I met Ioana in 1983 when she gave us Romanian language lessons. Her humor, patience, and hard realism won us over and we remained friends over the years, frequently enjoying her playing at the Symphony. She faced her last struggle with determination and hope, and we are glad to have known her. We will miss her! Our thoughts are with Dan and the family.
Silvia Hevlund
July 24, 2009
My dear Ioana,
We´ve been colleagues and friends for 50 years.
You are here with me.We talk and laugh - for many hours, as usual - remembering a lot of funny events from our youth, making plans for the future…
Love
Gina Arnold
July 23, 2009
I had the pleasure of getting to know Ioana and her family through my blessed friendship with her wonderful daughter Monica. I am also privileged to have heard her play with the Phoenix Symphony alongside her husband. I feel honored to have known her and been witness to her exquisite charm, laughter and contagious smile. My thoughts are with her family and may the memories of her life bring you peace and joy in the years to come.
Clarissa Cosgrove
July 23, 2009
A blessing bestowed on those all around her ... that is what Ioana was like. She was an inspiration, a mentor, a strength, a friend, a love, a grand lady, and an exceptional violinist.
My love, hopes of peace, thoughts and prayers to Dan, their children, extended family, and greatest of? friends. Ioana was a magnificent human being and will be greatly missed.
July 23, 2009
Little did I dream when we attended the Phoenix Symphony's benefit concert for Ioana last May, that in July, I would join the "sisterhood" of breast cancer. Ioana was among my first mentors. She would come off the stage during the Symphony concert intermissions to offer her comfort and support to me until she no longer was playing with the Symphony. I am so grateful for her counsel and support, as well as her courageous example. My very best to Dan and her family.
Kathleen Ulrich
Katy Prochaska
July 23, 2009
While I never had the privlege of meeting Ioana, I am a friend of her daughter - Monica, and a snuggler of her grandson Zion. Both are a tribute to her and the love she offered to the world. All of Main Pavilion where Monica works is missing her and sending our love and support.
Tami Feekes-Benedict
July 23, 2009
Dumitriu Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in faith, each other, and the loving support of others. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Adriana Chiriolv
July 23, 2009
Deeply saddened by her passing, the Chirilov and Bold families express their condoleances to Ioana's family . She fought a dreadful disease with dignity and positive thinking, never complaining or accepting defeat.
May God bless her and bless the family who loved and will love her forever,
Adriana ( Los angeles, CA)
Family
July 23, 2009
Momma, we miss you terribly. You left us with so many wonderful memories and hilarious moments and sayings from you...we're still cracking up.
One day, when our work here is done, we will all be together again.
Te iubem mammi,
Your Family
Bruce
July 23, 2009
The world is a lesser place without Ioana. May her memory be eternal!!
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Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary and Cemetery - Scottsdale6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
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