Memories

Tau Beta Sigma  Gamma Mu Chapter

Ohio Northern University

“A Loving Tribute to My Friend Rosie” by Toby Baker

             There was an instant connection the day Rosie Williams and I met.  It was the summer of 1999 and Ken had recently been named the 10th president of Ohio Northern University.  He hadn't officially begun his tenure yet, but one warm afternoon there was a formal reception for us in the Activities Room in McIntosh Center.

             A receiving line had been arranged with Dr. Freed at the beginning, Ken in the middle and me at the end.  I should tell you now that I’m not very good in receiving lines.  They require a certain cordial tact and brevity, the latter being a very difficult trait for me.  But, there we were, being introduced to the faculty and staff of ONU in an efficient and timely manner—that is, until Rosie and Ed Williams arrived.  Rosie and I shook hands and something magical transpired.  We connected, simple as that, and launched into a conversation of favorite music like long-lost friends.  Our lively chat snarled the whole receiving line process to the chagrin of both the out-going and in-coming presidents as well as guests still stranded in line.

             Rosie always reminded me of very fine champagne.  She was bubbly and lively and time spent in her company was delicious.  She had charisma and wit.  Her energy was infectious.  A few minutes with Rosie and one always left lighter and merrier still smiling from the encounter.  If you’ve ever tried to squeeze a cork back into a bottle of opened champagne, you know that the effervescence of the champagne pops off the cork within hours.  Rosie was like that, too.  No matter how despairing the prognosis during her battle with cancer, it wasn't long before her natural energy bubbled over and filler her again with hope—and on she battled.

             When she was first diagnosed with breast cancer and was facing some very difficult decisions, I shared one of my favorite passages from the Benedictine prayer that became our mantra, “Always we begin again.”  Little did we realize how important that message of hope would become when her dear husband and best friend, Ed, unexpectedly died July 14, 2005.  Again, that loving essence that defined Rosie lifted her heart and she led the way in celebrating the life of Edwin L. Williams.

          Some knew Rosie as their first piano teacher; some as the most incredibly patient accompanist.  She was literally gifted in her talent as a pianist and composer.  I cannot begin to comprehend the number of students, colleagues and friends whose lives were touched in some way by Rosie and Ed Williams.  When I learned of Rosie’s death Monday morning, I took some quiet time in my garden to hold her in my heart.  Winter ended so harshly this year that I was applauding the simple courage of the emerging crocus and daffodils.  So, too, was Rosie’s difficult journey with this devious and crafty disease called cancer.  While it ultimately claimed Rosie’s body, it could never conquer her spirit.  Like the bright yellow daffodil whose bell-shaped flower dances in the mild afternoon breeze, Rosie refused to let winter prevent her spring.  She emerges now as part of me and I suspect you.  Let us welcome her and celebrate all that effervescent beauty that we call Rosie.  What a privilege it is to be connected.

 

ROSEMARY Z. "ROSIE" WILLIAMS, 57, died at 11:30 a.m. March 26, 2007, at her residence.  She was born Sept. 13, 1949, in Chicago to Charles Albert and Elizabeth Ann Vosicky Zika. Her father preceded her in death. Her mother survives in North Carolina. On June 26, 1971, she married Edwin L. "Ed" Williams, who died July 14, 2005.  Mrs. Williams was a resident artist in piano and harpsichord at Ohio Northern University. She was an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma and was in her 32nd year as its adviser. She was also an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi. She received a bachelor of music degree in piano performance from Indiana University and a master of music summa cum laude in piano performance from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Her former teachers include Alfonso Montecino and Jeanne Kirstein. In 1972, she studied with professor Walter Panhofer at the Institute of Music and Dramatic Art in Vienna, Austria.  Since her high school days, she had been an active performer as a solo recitalist, accompanist and chamber musician. She has performed in all capacities throughout the Midwest and Austria. In addition to a busy performing and teaching schedule, she had served as adjudicator and guest speaker for several musical organizations, including the National Guild of Piano Teachers and the Ohio Music Teachers Association. Since 1973, she had been an avid composer and arranger. She had her works performed in the United States and Europe, including performances at the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. and the Toledo Symphony. Her students have gone on to distinguish themselves, including a debut at Carnegie Hall.  She was a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, where she was named to its Hall of Fame in 2000. She was a member of the Ohio Music Teachers Association; Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honorary; and Mu Phi Epsilon, a professional music fraternity. Her biography appears in the International Who's Who in Music. She was a Danforth Foundation Fellow from 1980 to 1986. She was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Rosie Williams

             This past summer, Ohio Northern University lost one of its profound voices. Fifty-eight-year-old Dr. Edwin L. Williams passed away on July 14, 2005. A memorial service was given in his honor on Friday, July 22.

             Arriving at ONU in 1973, with his wife Rosie after studying trumpet in Austria, Williams taught theory, ear training, brass methods, and applied trumpet. He directed various groups including the Jazz Band I, the Brass Ensemble, the ONU Symphony Orchestra, and the ONU Alumni Jazz Band and, for 30 years, the Lima Area Youth Orchestra.

             Within the first ten years here, Williams created a Jazz History course and a Summer Music Camp. Dr. Williams became the chair of the Music Department in 1982. Professor Nils Riess, chairman of the Communication Arts Department and interim chair of the Music Department, recalls that they “were the longest sitting chairs in the college of Arts and Sciences.”

             During his tenure at ONU, Williams was a major part of supervising projects in Presser. In the spring of 1986, Presser’s restored recital hall was opened to the University along with a new rehearsal hall. In 1998, the west portion of Presser Hall was finished with a second and third floor. Williams also worked with Riess in overseeing the Freed Center. Riess described working with Williams as “fun.” “ Ed was a jazzer,” he said. He and [Riess] would giggle. When you become a University professor and become a chair. . . there’s an image to live up to. We would be amazed that people would trust us in this position.”

Williams was employed at Ohio Northern for thirty-two years. According to Riess, Williams remained at ONU “for two reasons. First, he was comfortable. Second, he was respected and could do what he wanted. “If you like what you do and can do what you want, it’s a good place,” Riess said.

             The music department’s Carol Gramm described Williams as a “really fine student recruiter. Almost everything he did revolved around furthering the department and the students in it. The students were always first.”

             This fact was reiterated by his wife Rosie Williams. “Ed had a phenomenal memory, being able to introduce students in his jazz bands as to major, year in school and home town with any written note cards. In fact, he never forgot an alum no matter how long they had left school.”

             As Professor Riess shared, “His loss is a major impact. There’s a hole. It was nice to have a support mate. . . to have someone to confide in. . . he taught me to trust people. He taught us the love of music.”

Ed Williams

Super-fantasmic, funny, charismatic, leader, caring, giving, selfless, full of life, passionate, enthusiastic, kind, vivacious, fun, sincere, generous, witty, wonderful, confidant, comedian, loving intelligent, and care free.  These are words that the sisters of Gamma Mu felt best described their sister, Erin Michelle Dillon.  On December 19, 2003, as the ONU campus headed home for Christmas Break, Erin was involved in a tragic car accident on her way home to Fairlawn, OH.  The news shocked the sisterhood since most of us had just seen her sometime on Friday before she left.  Erin Dillon was a sophomore Biology/PreMed major at ONU.  She was currently serving as service chair of the Gamma Mu chapter and coordinated all of our service activities such as ushering for Presser Hall concerts and recitals, ODOT Highway Cleanup and the Marimor Christmas Project.  Erin was involved in the ONU marching band, pep band, symphonic band, and was a member of the flute choir.

Erin had this spirit inside of her that was so full of life.  No matter what was going on, whether we were marching in the hot sun during band camp, or picking up trash, or handing out band uniforms, we could always count on Erin to make us laugh.  Right before we left for Christmas, we spent a Sunday morning/afternoon putting the finishing touches on things for our Marimor project.  Erin was sitting at one of the tables icing cupcakes with Chip.  One minute they were icing the cupcakes and the next minute, they had icing all over themselves and were having an icing fight.

Erin was very dedicated to service and helping others.  IF you were having a bad day, she took the time to talk to you and was determined to put a smile on your face.  It did not matter that she may have just done horribly on a test.  To Erin, you were the only thing that mattered at the time.  Erin had such a crazy sense of humor and will always be remembered for her “creative” words such as “super-fantasmic” and “orgasmic.”  Erin always had a smile on her face and had such a love for life and for helping others.

The sisters of Gamma Mu have lost a special sister, but we know that Erin would not want us to be sad.  She would want us to cherish all the memories that we have and continue to have the close sisterhood bond that we share.  Our advisor, Rosemary Williams, said it best, “We are like threads in a tapestry.  When one stops, the pattern changes-it will still be beautiful, but one part will be missing.”  Erin may no longer be here with us physically, but she will always be in our hearts.

Erin Dillon