Yvaine France Duisit

Yvaine France Duisit, 75, died quietly at home, Thursday, May 25, 2006, surrounded by her family and music.

During her long and difficult battle with cancer she was blessed with many small victories, and those around her bore witness to her courage, grace, humor, and elegance of spirit - qualities that shone brighter as her physical strength waned.

Yvaine was born in France on July 13, 1930, and by her own account, lived a full and wonderful life. Family played an important role in her life. She stayed very close to her four siblings in France, and she was the one who kept everyone in touch with everyone else - a pivotal role in a family split across continents. At the center of her life (and her family's, by extension), was her passion and gift for music. Everyone around her was touched by it in some way.

Yvaine attended the National Conservatory in Paris, where she earned the prestigious first prize in harmony in 1952. She studied organ with Maurice Durufle' and piano with Armand Ferte'.

She moved to the United States with her husband in 1954, and after stays in New Haven, Connecticut and Berkeley, California, the family settled in Charlottesville in 1967.

She was an organist at St. Mark's Lutheran Church for a brief period and then joined the staff of St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church in 1976, where she remained as organist up until her resignation due to ill health in January 2006. She was a distinguished member of the American Guild of Organists. She gave numerous solo recitals and has recorded cassette tapes and CD's of organ music. Her preludes and postludes at St. Paul's never failed to inspire and move the congregation.

Yvaine has left a musical legacy beyond price in the hearts and minds of her students, of whom there are many, both in piano and in organ. She devoted nearly 40 years to teaching in the community.

In addition, she was a member of the piano faculty of the University of Virginia's McIntire Department of Music, where in 1974 she and pianist, Content Sablinsky, formed an acclaimed duo -piano team. Together they performed yearly concerts at the University and elsewhere throughout the state of Virginia to include performances for the Virginia Music Teachers Association and appearances as soloists with the Charlottesville University and Community Symphony Orchestra.

Yvaine served as the beloved accompanist for the University Singers and the Charlottesville Oratorio Society for many years. She was a long-standing member of the Wednesday Music Club, where she performed on many occasions. She was a co-founder of the Charlottesville Music Teachers Association 26 years ago.

In 2003, Yvaine Duisit was awarded the Piedmont Council of the Arts Individual Arts Award. Her unassuming manner belied a formidable musical artistry, respect and admiration for which, in the musical community, is boundless. She will be sorely missed.

Her family would like to thank everyone who helped her through her struggle with cancer: the St. Paul's congregation for their support and their prayers; the doctors and staff at the Hope Center and at Martha Jefferson; her hospice nurse, Marissa, who was like another daughter and was there supporting her when she died.

In addition, there were many close personal friends, musical colleagues, and students who supported and inspired her. We can't thank them all, but we appreciated every gift and every prayer.

Yvaine is survived by her four children, Chris Duisit, Lorraine Duisit, Vivian Heeden and Eric Duisit; six grandchildren; and her husband, Lionel, a now-retired University of Virginia French Literature Professor and a violinist who shared her passion for music and helped her pursue her musical aspirations by attending every concert, every student recital, and offering endless support and encouragement. When the time came, he gave life to the vows "in sickness and in health."

A memorial service will be held 4 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2006, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1700 University Avenue, opposite the Rotunda. A reception will follow in the church parish hall.

Flowers are certainly appropriate; Yvaine adored flowers. But for those who prefer to offer a more lasting tribute, gifts to the Wednesday Music Club or to Hospice of the Piedmont, in her honor, would also be greatly appreciated.