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Edith Ballard Obituary
February 14, 2024
Edith Doe Ballard, music teacher extraordinaire (San Francisco Town School for Boys, SF Boys Chorus, The Singing Boys of SF Bay) passed away peacefully on Valentine's Day at the age of 101.
"Edie," born in Massachusetts, was spirited home to New Hampshire by horse and buggy. The youngest of five children and a musical prodigy, she first sang on the radio at age eight. Her lyrical soprano voice was nurtured by her parents and shaped at Colby College and Eastman School of Music. During WWII, she was a soloist at Radio Station WUMR.
While earning a master's degree at Chicago Musical College, Edie met her husband William Ballard, a choral conductor. They lived in Chicago, Italy, England, and San Francisco but performed phenomenal music together the world over.
Edie was an avid reader, philosopher, environmental supporter, scholar of history, and poet. While thoroughly devoted to family, she also valued her many friends, corresponding with them even into her final days.
Edie outlived her husband by 18 years and is survived by four children (Christopher, Nicholas, Ruth, Mary Kate), six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Her delightful sense of humor, love of holidays, and kind gentleness will be greatly missed. This sweet soul taught us how to live a full and meaningful life, age with grace, and die with dignity.
At Edith's request, her burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please donate to any environmental organization. A more complete obituary, and details about her upcoming Celebration of Life, can be found at Legacy.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Edith Ballard
3 Entries
Linda Scrogham
May 28, 2024
Bill and Edie's initial post-retirement time -was spent in Virginia in the beautiful mountains of the Shenandoah Valley ... What a wonderful time for us !! We spent many hours together - whether having meals at each other's home or dining out -- taking sightseeing trips - attending musical events or just having tea and scones at Ahaluna !! It was fun watching these city folk become gardeners - with a large yard made larger by Bill reclaiming some forest into his yard. And those wonderful sour cherry trees -- we surely picked gallons of sour cherries and enjoyed many cobblers!!! Last but not in any way least -- we were privileged to meet with Bill's San Francisco Boys Choir when they sang in Washington, DC and than visited the Valley - to sing locally. What a delightful couple and how I loved them...
David Kersnar
April 1, 2024
Edith Ballard and her husband William gave me such a solid start in my life and career. I never would gave gotten into northwestern with out their guidance. Flights of angels. Namaste.
Robert West
March 30, 2024
My deepest condolences. I´m just now hearing about this. Mrs. Ballard was phenomenal woman. She had all the patients in the world with me and taught me the beginning basics of music theory. I will miss her deeply.
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