What sad news.
Apple was one of the first people to welcome me here. She always added a lightness and kindness to every thread she contributed to.
Rest in peace.

No reason, per se, except that there's always the risk that goals will be split and it will be impossible to implement the PW (and?) memorial because of insufficient funds and involvement.

This thread for instance (I realize the Pianist Corner is also open to "Apple" posts now), has gotten only a small fraction of the responses any one of the other four fora have garnered so far.

If the math isn't clear, I'm saying we have here at most 5% of the responses on the other fora put together - granted that there is significant overlap.

Pianos aren't cheap but I think it would be entirely possible to afford one with the whole population behind it (requiring plans about how to go about it). Otherwise, not possible.

Of course, there's also the possibility of paying instead for lessons. Something of this sort was done on WTF (and TNCR"?) for "Wacki Iraqi".

I'm unable to locate a previous post I wanted to quote - having to do with a so-called "apple award" which would be entirely honorary (for posters) and dedicated to PW alone.

I like that idea too! Sorry I can't find the original suggestion.

It would be a big undertaking, but might I suggest the donation of an Estonia to St. Joseph Catholic Church where she was very active.

There are certainly enough dealers at PW who carry Estonia and would certainly be able to help with negotiations directly with Mr. Laul.

It would be a massive effort - A great tribute to a great person.

So sad to read of Apple's passing. I always enjoyed seeing that peculiar, friendly signature.

Peace and condolences to her family and friends.

I am so sad to hear this. She touched people through a medium we can’t always fully understand, and I imagine she will continue to do just that.

Nancy

This is very sad news, Apple was always so positive and supportive in every way she could have been to all she encountered here. I am sorry I never met her.

R.I.P. Apple

My God bless her soul and provide peace to her family.

This was in her Obit.

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

Here is her Obit.


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

While people's hearts are certainly in the right place, it seems more appropriate to me to adhere to the families wishes and donate to her children. This would directly benefit her family in a meaningful way instead of buying a piano for one of thousands of deserving kids that she never even knew.

It's clearly none of my business what other people want to do but that's just my opinion.

this was more along the lines of what i was thinking of too, amanda. an "apple award" --possibly granted annually for the best beginner's forum and pianist's forum performance. something along those lines. we could come up with a modest prize for the honoree.

to me it's about remembering her, and that doesn't have to be about a lot of money.

The family is asking for donations to the fund set up for her children, I think we should all consider starting with that. http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2013860.html

I'm open to other suggestions, but anything that gets into judging often turns into a slippery slope.

It's possible to walk several paths.

Helping her family and her children is certainly a good path to walk. And it's also an easy path. It involves writing one check and you're done.

Memorializing, however, is often about keeping a person's memory alive among a group who knew her, and using that memorial to tell others who never knew her what she was like. That's the harder path.

To do it you must build something permanent, which becomes the mechanism of remembrance. Creating that mechanism involves overcoming the "large committee" problem of too many ideas and no process for selecting among them. Every idea for remembering Apple at PW will mean some work for some people, and possibly some judgments. And every possible idea someone lays out will clearly have a potential downside that someone here can imagine (and will articulate at length in a thread like this). Coming to a decision this way is virtually impossible.

If people want to work on a specifically PW memorial, I would suggest that Frank delegate the responsibility of chewing on a bunch of ideas to a small committee. That committee could get open feedback from the board using a thread like this. But at some point, the group should go into private session to evaluate the goals, options, resources, and risks. After weighing the alternatives, come back to us with a decision and a plan.

Piano*Dad, thank you for your thoughtful comments. I will be donating to the family. Unfortunately I am not able to commit time to organizing something at PW, although if others are able to do something I would like to support that as well.

Bravo P*D!

I will be giving directly to the family, but I would be happy to be involved in any memorial committee, if Frank chooses to go that route.

Many good ideas have been thrown out there. Thank you all who have responded. Although I never met apple* in person, we spoke by phone countless times and I consider her a friend.

(She might have considered me a stalker )

excellent post, PD.

while i do not have the time right now to be involved in bringing a plan to fruition, i do have an idea to throw out in the wake of frank's thoughtful concerns about judging a competition.

how about ....

every year on apple's birthday (in may), we have a celebration of her life (could be called "apple day") by posting musical tributes to her. these can be recordings of original compositions or recordings of a piece we have finally mastered well enough to perform. it could be a day we look forward to and prepare for all year and an inducement to work harder at the piano and on our music. and it will hopefully inspire others to immerse themselves ever more deeply in the piano.

just one idea which others may wish to expand on or discard, as they see fit...

Pique's idea is excellent. Everyone could participate or not.

Forming committees - who would be on it? How would they be selected (members here the longest? The most posts? The loudest? The biggest ego's? The newest members? The least known members? - who knows) Sounds like a quagmire to me. They would then decide what the rest of us should participate in? I'll bet there are already folks planning to be on said committee.

It would not be something I would participate in, in any way.

I guess it makes sense to regroup as described, so that we could both (as so desired) contribute to the family's college fund AND work for a memorial on PW - largely honorary and piano/forum focused.

The absence of volunteers to help with the latter, is notable. Perhaps piano players, especially non-professionals, are by nature jealous of their time - already being challenged to squeeze in practice.

Ah, for some dedicated committee women (men) types!

Rich Galassini has already volunteered.

Ultimately, if a committee is to be formed somebody has to set it in motion, and the obvious choice is the moderators and Frank. The moderators administer and Frank owns. I think that group could delegate responsibly to a small set of stakeholders here.

To Roger's point, the number of volunteers is likely to be small, and the owner of the site (as I mentioned above) is a good choice for laying on of hands. Without an appointed group, most likely we will wind up with the loudest and most persistent voices getting their way. Either that or we'll get nothing at all done while everyone says "after you." I do not understand this fear of forming a committee.

If selected for a panel or commmitee I can be available some evenings during the week and on weekends.

Thanks,
Woody

wow...I've been away for so long and I come back to this news! I'm so sorry to hear. I remember apple was always a warm soul here on PW. My condolences to her family.

I'm willing to volunteer.

And Marty makes three......

Thanks,
Woody

I'm in if needed.

It is starting to come together. Excellent!

Thanks Steve.

Memorial Music for today
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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.

Rich, your PM box is full. Call me.

I have not logged into Piano World for a long time ....and when I do, on some whim, the first thing I see is this. Quite shocking.

Apple was very welcoming to me when I joined here ages ago and I am very sad indeed to hear of her passing.

Adrian

Bump