Rosamond "Robin" Stone
Rosamond "Robin" Stone Obituary
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Rosamond (Robin) May Stone – Robin Stone, age 85, passed away in the early hours of November 6, 2024, after a rapid decline in her health. Family members were able to gather around her bedside in the days and hours prior to her death, sharing stories, singing, and playing her favorite classical music on her iPad.
Robin was born July 3, 1939, to Knowlton Davies Stone and Phyllis Marble Stone, in Worcester, MA. Although her given name was Rosamond, when she was born, the nurses said she was always opening her mouth for food like a little robin. The nickname stayed with her for life.
Music had always played a central role in the Stone family, and it was clear from a very early age that Robin was a musical prodigy. By age eight, she was playing the violin and piano, and began playing violin in the Pioneer Valley Symphony while in high school.
Robin graduated from Greenfield High School in 1957. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in piano, with distinction, at the Eastman School of Music in 1961. During her time there, she played violin in the Eastman School Orchestra and the Eastman Philharmonic and was a piano accompanist for several student recitals. Following graduation, she remained in Rochester, playing violin in the Eastman Chamber Orchestra, Opera Under the Stars Orchestra, and the Rochester Philharmonic.
Shortly thereafter, Robin moved to Boston to pursue her Master of Music degree in piano at the New England Conservatory of Music, graduating with Honors in 1966.
From that time on, she was a professional musician teaching, and performing at many venues in the Boston area, including the Gardner Museum in Boston. She eventually moved back to Greenfield, where she served as concertmistress of the Pioneer Valley Symphony (PVS) from 1971 to 1994. During her years with PVS, she was the soloist on several occasions, including performing the Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor, Beethoven's Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto #1 in G minor, and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. She was honored with the Nathan Gottschalk Memorial Award in 2004. Robin also played violin with the Springfield Symphony from 1968 – 1971, and served as the concertmistress of the Holyoke Civic Orchestra from 1999-2004 She was the founder and director of "The Four Seasons," a chamber ensemble for adult beginners based in Greenfield.
Robin was a much-loved music teacher in the area. She taught at several area high schools and colleges, including Keene State College, Greenfield Community College, Eaglebrook, Bement, Stoneleigh Burnham School, Deerfield Academy and local music schools -- the Valley Community Music School and the Greenfield Academy of Music. At her private lessons in her house, she taught piano, violin, viola and cello. She had a trunk of stickers and small prizes to reward her students when they showed progress in their lessons. Robin's walls and doorways were lined with photos and cards from her students over the years; she held deep affection for all of them and she took pride in their accomplishments.
In her spare time, Robin was an avid and fast walker. She enjoyed going out on long walks all over town. It was not uncommon to see her miles from her home, speedwalking along the road on a small errand, or just to be out and about. From her twenties, she had snowy white hair, accompanied by her piercing blue eyes, which made her easily recognizable around Greenfield. She also enjoyed movie nights with friends, with particular favorites being "A Few Good Men," and "The Golden Girls" series.
Robin was the caretaker for both her parents and brother, Lawrence (Larry) Stone, all of whom predeceased her. She will be missed by her family, including her four sisters, Billie Narver (Albany CA), Phyllis Stone (Mark Blatchley) (Erving, MA), Gretchen Stone, and Trudy Stone (Chelsea, MA); nieces and nephews Clint Narver (Bethesda, MD), Nicole Almaguer (Albany, CA), Raub Roy (Oakland, CA), and Rachel Roy (Greenfield, MA); former brother-in-law and his wife, Rick Roy and Kay Lyons; and four great nieces and nephews. She also leaves her long-time best friend from childhood, Carolyn Center Browning (Greenfield).
Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. A celebration of Robin's life and her many accomplishments will take place at the Second Congregational Church parish hall, Court Square, Greenfield, MA, on Saturday, November 16, 2 – 4 pm. Guests are welcome to share music and memories.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Eastman School of Music, Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, 26 Gibbs Street, Rochester, NY 14604; or the Pioneer Valley Symphony, 239R Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301. McCarthy Funeral Home, Greenfield is directing the funeral arrangements.
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