Carolyn A. Victorine

1937 - 2022

Carolyn A. Victorine, 85, of Roanoke, Va., passed away peacefully on Monday, December 12, 2022. She was born to the late Ernest and Lois Breeden Ayers on May 10, 1937, in Roanoke, Va.

She was married to the late Harry Victorine.

Carolyn is survived by her children, C. Michael Finfgeld of Midlothian, Va., and Martha Wilson of Eatonton, Ga.; her grandchildren, Elizabeth Carberry, Claire Hahn, Michael Finfgeld, Matthew Wilson, Lauren Wilson and Michael Wilson; and her first great-grandchild, Brody Wilson who was born on September 27, 2022. She is also survived by her brothers, Ronald M. Ayers of Roanoke and David E. Ayers of Richmond.

Carolyn was destined to be a musician. She started taking piano lessons when she was five and did so well that, by the time she was seven or eight, she was teaching some of the other younger students. At an early age, even before entering high school, Carolyn was giving concerts for the Thursday Morning Music Club and other organizations. At William Fleming High School, she became the accompanist for the choir and served as its president her senior year. She graduated from Fleming in 1955, was recognized as ""Most Dependable"" in the class mirror, and then attended Oberlin College on a full music scholarship.

After graduating from Oberlin with a BA in piano performance, Carolyn attended the University of Illinois, earning a master's degree in piano performance after studying with renowned musicians and composers, including Soulima Stravinsky, son of composer Igo Stravinsky. Carolyn completed all requirements for a doctorate in her chosen field except for her doctoral recital, a requirement she never fulfilled because she chose to move on to the centerpiece of her life, starting a family.

Carolyn moved to the Roanoke Valley shortly after Michael's birth and she spread her musical talents throughout the Southwest Virginia area. She began teaching piano privately in her Roanoke County home, and she became a member of the Hollins College faculty, giving piano lessons at the school. She was a much sought-after teacher, often teaching 50 or more students each semester. Carolyn served several churches as organist, at first as a substitute, then filling the role of choirmaster at Second Presbyterian Church during the interim period when the church sought a new conductor and organist. Ultimately, she took the organist position at Christ Lutheran Church where she served for almost two decades. Carolyn gave numerous concerts during her career, several as the piano soloist with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. She also performed piano duo concerts with Thelma Diercks and also with Becky Wallenborn. Carolyn expanded to ""8-handed"" concerts, involving four pianos, at various locations throughout Virginia, including the Garth Newell Center in Bath County.

Later in life, when Carolyn decided to limit the number of her younger students, she taught adults who had already received piano training and wanted to improve their playing skills. Carolyn thoroughly enjoyed working with these accomplished pianists and proudly presented them in annual private concerts in one of the musician's homes.

After moving from her home on Avenham Avenue into Brandon Oaks independent living in 2017, Carolyn made certain she had one of her Steinway grand pianos in her apartment. When Carolyn played, she unintentionally provided the fortunate tenants in neighboring rooms with free concerts, much to their delight. She had little sheet music in her apartment, playing most often from memory.

When one of her brothers asked her to play a certain Bach composition for which he did not have the sheet music, she smiled and replied, ""That's okay – it's one of the millions of pieces I have committed to memory"" – and Carolyn played without a glitch the entire piece.

The Memorial Service for Carolyn will be conducted at Oakey's Funeral Service - Downtown Chapel at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2022, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. at the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to Oberlin College for a scholarship to be established in Carolyn's name, to aid students in the Colleges of Conservatory of Music. Oberlin College, Office of Financial Aid, Carnegie Building, 52 W. Lorain Street, Oberlin, OH 44074. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.Oakeys.com.



Arrangements by Oakey's Funeral Service - Downtown Chapel, Roanoke (540) 982-2100.