Announcement of funeral arrangements:

http://www.amosfamily.com/2013/01/mary-magdalen-bryde-stevermer/

From lilylady's link, I see there is a college memorial fund set up for her children. I will pay my respects with an offering. Please consider your ability to do so as well.

http://www.amosfamily.com/2013/01/mary-magdalen-bryde-stevermer/

Memorial Contributions



The family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Stevermer Children College Fund, 10901 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203.

It has been my honor and pleasure to know Apple, and my delight and privilege to have met her at piano/forum parties and visited her in Kansas.

In memory of Apple:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehpccoQRvoU



Lyrics [translation] :

Requiem æternam dona eis [ Eternal rest grant unto them ]

lux perpetua luceat eis [ let perpetual light shine upon them ]
beloved mom, friend, and teacher, and wife and sister too
õun taevasse ülendatud [ apple ascended ]
Te amamus; requiescat in pace [we love you; rest in peace]

PDF manuscript: http://www.coffee-room.com/Te-Amamus-Requiescat-In-Pace.pdf

Like so many others who didn't know her personally, I admired Apple through her posts here. She was the best of what this online community can be. My condolences to her family and friends.

thanks, Mark

Rest in peace, apple.

I will, certainly, keep the apple family in my thoughts and prayers.

Very shocking and sad news. She seemed like just a genuinely kind and caring person who loved music and the piano. There was never a hint of any meanness or bitterness in her posts. This world could use a few hundred million more Apples....it would be a better place.

My deepest sympathies to her family and her many friends here on PW . I'm so very sorry to hear of this.

RIP.

I am terribly saddened to learn of Apple's passing. She was always a wonderful presence here at Piano World. Her love of music and piano performance was such an important part of her life which inspired others, myself included. I'll miss her friendship, kindness and optimism. Apple will be unforgettable. My sincere condolences go out to her loving family and friends.

David

I contacted Indrek Laul (owner of Estonia Piano Company) about Apple/Mary, his reply is below...


"Oh, what terrible news here and today on the PW. She is so sweet, kind, intelligent. Why is someone's life candle, while burning so deeply, able to light candles around her, yet taken from us so early? My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones, and to all PW members.


May I ask you to post it? Thank you. Oh, what terrible news.
Indrek"

I'm just curious about Mary's adoption of the name "Apple". Does anybody know how she became known as Apple and whether there is a story behind that?

I'm so sorry, we will miss you Apple....

Actually, THAT -- and also the Estonian connection -- I realize that she bought an Estonia piano, but I also got the impression that she was Estonian herself -- only because she had the word fot "apple" in Estonian as part of all her responses.

I have never posted on the pianists forum being only an adult beginner so didn't see any of Mary's posts. Sad news, Condolences to her family and friends.

Apple was the name of one of the family's dogs.

She was so happy with her Estonia that she added the word for "apple" in Estonian to her sig.

Dearest Mary,

Rest in Peace gentle soul. You opened your family home to me and my family and we were fortunate to have your family stay with us for a few days. During those visits you and your family became my family.

I am saddened deeply by your passing but I know you live on in all you touched in this world.

I will see you again someday. Of that I am sure.

We are all blessed to know you.

Love,

Mark

p.s. I will continue with the Goldbergs.

Rest in peace, Apple. Thank you for your contributions to the community and the friendship you shared with so many. Your legacy will live on in many many ways.

Prayers of comfort to your family...

My thoughts and prayers go out to Apple's family. She will be missed by many.

I'm so sorry to read that Apple has passed away.

So very sad news. Rest in peace, friend.

Mary's Music Memorial Tues morning - virtual online.

I thought this might be a way of our being closer during Mary's Memorial Service. It would be powerful if many of us could be listening at the same time. Or at any time during the day, Tues.

With respect:

In lieu of the ability of most of us to attend Mary's service live, perhaps we can do a service online... Virtual is how many of us knew and loved her. That way we, as her online family, can partake. Together.

I do believe that her timezone is one hour different from ours on the east coast and you probably know your time difference. Her service is at 10 am Tues.

Music In Memorial:

Some music could be her beloved Bach.

One that Trucker - Big John shared on her FB page. Bach with Virgil Fox † 'Come Sweet Death' † Wanamaker Organ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xje4OYalB5Q


And another Bach shared by Jim / Palindrome. JSB signed it 'Glory to God' ( Soli Deo Gloria )
J.S. Bach - Mass B minor BWV 232 - Agnus Dei / Dona nobis pacem


https://www.youtube.com/watch?...bedded&v=lzFoZftMcU4



One of Mary's Favorites
Sibelius (from Finlandia) 'Be Still My Soul'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FASG0h6-5XQ



then, Te Amamus; Requiescat In Pace written in her honor by Axtremus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehpccoQRvoU


and Rich Galassini's impromptu contribution, 'Under the Shadow of Your Wings I Will Find a Resting Place'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LePrcOi3mQg&feature=youtu.be


Then to celebrate her life we could listen to Mary's recordings:

Pacabel's 'Fantasia'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...dded&v=qr_sl_UJdKE#!


from Bach's Goldberg Variations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...bedded&v=rG1f6678ka0


"Comptine d'un autre été, l'après-midi"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...bedded&v=gsXQAhe8uYY



You will always be a part of us, Mary.

Very sad to hear about Apple! I am only new to PW but reading other peoples thoughts here gives me the impression that she was very loving, generous and inspiring person. My heart and thoughts go out to Apple's near and dear ones.

May God give her eternal rest and may her soul rest in peace.

My heart is heavy with sadness for Mary's family and for our pianoworld family as well. I don't post on here much...I leave it to others who have something to say. But I always have enjoyed her posts and cheerful, positive outlook. What a beautiful person!

This is my favorite...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGP7cBXpXqA

The entire Brahms Requiem is on here. Beautiful and fitting for her spirit. Mary, rest in peace.

Hello all,

Haven't been in here in years, but the passing of my friend Mary seems a right time to drop in and say hello to old friends. Mary and I don't live too far apart. We've been together several times over the years...met for concerts and recitals, taken our kids to the cider mill, and visited at each other's homes. I attended Mary's visitation last evening. It was very well attended and lovely. It was so good to see Mr and Mrs MarkJ in attendance as well, as I met them at Mary's house. Mary's family are looking strong and very good, which was very encouraging to me. I direct musicals at the high school in that area and many of 'my kids' were in attendance last night as well. That support for Mary's kids was really good to see also.

I will miss her.

--Debbie

I am shocked to read these sad news. I have never met Apple in person, but have been enjoying to read her many contributions to this forum ever since I joined PW. My sincere condolences to Apple's family, and Rest in peace, Apple!

I'm so sorry to read this news. While I'm pretty sure she had little idea who I am (I rarely post), I feel like I've gotten to know her from her invariably warm, insightful, and helpful contributions to this forum. She made the world a better place.

After reading this and viewing the video......I played this Fantasia several times during these days..........thinking of Apple.....

Every time I play this Fantasia in future I will think of her......it will be impossible to play it without thinking of her after seeing this video.

Lilylady, thanks for posting this link.

We, pwf-members, will miss Apple and her warm posts. Mary........RIP

Johan B

Extremely sad news. Apple / Mary and I corresponded when I first joined PW years ago and she was a great source of advice. It is fate that today I revisited PW after avoiding it for a while and saw this. She was a great PW contributor.

Adrian

So sad. Apple's was one of the first identities which became recognisable to me on PW. My condolences to her family and friends.