Recently, we received the obituary from Mrs. Stapelfeldt. She was my wife’s voice coach for more than ten years. She made such a big impression on my wife, that our youngest daughter is named after her. Here is a summary of her life, as written in her obituary:

Katalin Szekeres Stapelfeldt was born in Hungary on March 4th in 1920. Her childhood was spent on horseback and at the piano. Katalin came from a cultured and privileged family. She received her education in Hungary and Austria. She lost most of her family during World War II and struggled to survive under the Communist regime, returning to the conservatory of music for yet another degree. She applied her education and her unique gift to develop a well-recognized music, mostly piano and voice, practice in Wilton, Connecticut.

Throughout her career she lectured at several universities to teachers and professors on the Koday solfège method general and her own theories of pedagogy. She was loved by her fellow musicians in Europe and in the United States for her bold, bubbly personality and humor. Nothing seemed impossible to her.

Through her teaching, she helped many challenged children to reach a happy and healthy adulthood. She brought out the best and the most of every one’s potentials. Many of her students kept in touch with her well into their adult life for 20 to 30 years. Katalin retired in Churchton, Maryland but acquired a few select students and held recitals at the First Baptist Church in Shady Side. Her old students, now adults, carne from as far as Washington DC and Connecticut. Her home was open and welcoming not only to her family, but to all those who came from near and far to visit. Many felt a great loss of a great lady of music. She died peacefully in her home Christmas Eve, 2004. She will be missed.

Katalin left behind her husband of 47 years, Wulf Dietricht Stapelfeldt, her daughter Borbala Cosson, granddaughter Victoria Felicia Sutton Garte and two great granddaughters, Nicold Fleicia Garte and Maxi Michelle Garte.