Carol Quimby Heath
Carol Quimby Heath, 89, of 200 Leeder Hill Drive in Hamden, CT, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 20, 2016. Born on Sept 13, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Marguerite Lewin Quimby. She grew up in Cleveland, OH, where she received her early musical training at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She majored in music at Smith College, where she was concertmaster of the orchestra, first violinist of the Smith Trio, and chief bell ringer of the Harkness Carillon. She also spent summers at the Yale School of Music in Norfolk, CT, where she met her husband of 58 years, the late Fenno F. Heath, Jr. Together, they became a prominent musical couple in New Haven, CT. He was Director of the Yale Glee Club and she was a beloved music teacher at Worthington Hooker School, having trained in Hungary to become one of the leading Kodály music specialists in the country. She published a series of classroom songbooks called 'The Song Garden' and was the founder of the New Haven Country Dance series, still in existence today. Mrs. Heath was an avid gardener, knitter, weaver, master puzzler, genealogist, prize winning quilt maker and contra dance fiddler. She loved the hills of New Hampshire, where her parents were born, and spent many summers there in the cabin she built, called 'Fern Hill.' She leaves her dear brother, William Colton Quimby, and her sisters-in-law, Charlotte Houde Quimby and Lillian Quimby. Additionally, she leaves her children and extended family: Sarah Sedgwick Heath (Franz Thomas Douskey) of Hamden, CT, Lucy Heath McLellan (Robert Keene McLellan) of Lebanon, NH, Peggy Heath Ogilvy (Dan Hertzler) of Windsor, VT, and Fenno Follansbee Heath III (Paris Stamos Heath) of Woodbridge, CT. She also leaves six grandchildren, Heather Anna Ogilvy (Matthew Thomas O'Malley) of Venice, CA, Sedgwick Hunter Najarian (Michael Kenneth Najarian) of Braintree, MA, Benjamin Westgate Ogilvy of Arlington, MA, Quinby Heath McLellan and Eliza Keene McLellan of Lebanon, NH, Maxfield Westgate Heath (Natalie Plaza Carballo) of New Haven, CT; and one great grandson, Bode León Najarian of Braintree, MA. Carol will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A Memorial Service will be held for friends and family on Sunday July 31st at 11:00 a.m. at Whitney Center (North Building), 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT, in the 6th floor common room. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to send a donation to either of the following: the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104 (www.splcenter.org), or Running Strong for Native American Youth, 8301 Richmond Highway, Ste 200, Alexandria, VA 22309 (http://www.indianyouth.org). BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden in care of arrangements. To send a condolence to the family please see obit at www.beecherandbennett.com
To the entire family of Carol Quimby Heath, please accept my deepest sympathy. I had the pleasure of seeing Carol in action as a music teacher at Worthington Hooker School while I was student teaching. I watched closely as she entered the room and captured the attention of these very young students ,she was magical ! Years later Terry would marry my dear friend Paris and I would again meet up with Carol ! I was able to see her her three daughters perform in Hamden, Terry too, and she beamed with pride as they engaged the crowd in a night of some incredible and original music. My the memories you have help and comfort you at this difficult time.
Cathy Jackson
To all of you dear members of the Health family, please accept my deepest condolences at the loss of your mother. I’m so happy I saw her last Friday for the last time. It was such a profound pleasure to read to your mother every Friday afternoon. I have learned so much about the Amish people, their customs and culture. Though she didn’t speak, Carol spoke plenty with her eyes. Up until the end, she would always nod her head when I asked her if she wanted me to read another chapter of the book we were reading at the time. Please know that I will be thinking of you and will see you on July 31.
Terry,Paris your sisters and entire Heath family I know nothing is comforting when you have lost your mom. I do believe she will be in heaven Thanking God for such a compassionate and caring family. Terry with almost a sixth sense you have been there when your mom has been anxious and stayed Nights with her , you were her voice when she lost hers. most importantly gave her ansolute joy always popping in on her . She had influenced lot of young lives .and now left her family , you all with fun memories and melodies. Reflect on these in your sadness.
My prayers are with you all
Betsy
Dear Family
As director of KMTI at Hartt School I have worked with Carol for many years. Also had great respect for Fenno as well. As i moved to the other side of the continent we lost touch.
Through Megan whom I met at the Kodaly Center at Holy Names this summer we talked about Carol with great respect.
Please accept my condolences and I send my special greetings to Lucy.
Janos Horvath
For your Solace…
.I Give You This One Thought To Keep
I am with you still, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle Autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as Gone,
I am with you still~ in each new Dawn.
May your Heart always carry a joyful song.
Remember that you are Blessed Each day by the Love that lives all around you..
I will always remember her incomparable spirit and warm smile with many fond memories of my Worthington Hooker years on through my teenage friendship with Terry such as the ride back from a VT ski trip made shorter after she got the car-load of morose teenagers loosened up with a sing-along including such fun tunes as .Oh my Grandfather had a skunk under his barn oh isn’t that a terrible yarn, oh pew pew, oh pew pew….
Do not think of her as Gone,
She is with you still~ in each new Dawn.
Her heart will always carry a Joyful Song.
Evan Smith