Joan VanWormer will retire Nov. 20 after her long tenure as music director for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 300 Third St. in Elyria.
There will be a festive celebration for VanWormer at the 10:30 a.m. worship service and a community open house from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with special presentations beginning at 4:30 p.m., according to a news release.
The public is invited to both events, the release said.
“Music has been an important part of VanWormer’s life for as long as she can remember,” according to the release. “She hails from a family of musicians, specifically on her father’s side.
“She began piano lessons at the age of 4 and organ lessons when she was in the eighth grade. This led to opportunities for singing and playing keyboard instruments in both the church and community.”
In 1942, VanWormer, affectionately known as Joanie, came to Elyria when her father, the Rev. Dr. G.
Russel Hargate became the rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, according to the release.
She began organ lessons with St. Andrew’s organist Ed Wright, an Oberlin Conservatory student.
VanWormer is a 1951 graduate of Elyria High School.
One Easter morning, while still in high school, the organist at St. Andrew’s became ill.
VanWormer was asked by the choir director to slide onto the organ bench for some “on the job training,” the release said.
She has mostly been on that bench for over 70 years, the release said.
In 1984, after a brief hiatus to raise her children, Hans, Jane and Russell, VanWormer agreed to “temporarily” return to the organ bench at St. Andrew’s and help out until a permanent musician was found.
Almost four decades later, she still finds herself at the console of St. Andrew’s historic Aeolian Skinner organ which was built and installed in the church in 1923, according to the release.
“The love of music and the practice of compassion are two of the gifts of God that show up most clearly in the life and ministry of Joan Van Wormer,” said the Rev. June Hardy Dorsey, rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. “She expresses them both in delight and diligence, faithfully offering them for ministry in the church and beyond.
“She is an example and inspiration for me and many others as our lives are enriched by her presence.”
For more information, contact Hardy Dorsey at 804-370-2989.
