Mary Kalbfleisch

Funeral services for Mary Carol Kalbfleisch will be held on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 starting at 10:00 a.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church.

Mary passed away at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 7, 2018 at Life Care Center in Casper, Wyoming after a long and courageous battle with Dementia.

Mary was born on December 26, 1936 in Washington, D.C. As a young girl she was a wonderful performer. She enjoyed singing and playing her piano for family and friends. Her friends were very important to her, but she also enjoyed quiet times and was a great student. Mary graduated from Northwestern HS in 1954. One of her extra-curricular activities was Puppet Club. She was tasked to invite fellow student Jim Henson to join, because they needed their Senior performance sets painted. Puppet history was changed and they became lifelong friends.

After entering the Univ. of Maryland, she was diagnosed with TB. After surgery and rest, she returned to U of MD and met Albert and they were married in 1958. Shortly after and because of Mary, the University Chorus was asked to study and perform the The Berlioz Requiem with the BSO at Tanglewood.

Shortly after graduation Kurt, Karen, and Kate joined the family in New England. Mary then started a career as a Manchester Public School teacher and began graduate studies at UCONN. Earning a Masters and PhD in Music as well as a Sixth Year. She created many original plays for her students, which were popular all over town. She was the assistant choral conductor for the American Youth Symphonic Band and Chorus during two European tours.

After retiring, she and Albert moved to Casper and began volunteer work for Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Nic, The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center and Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church. She loved playing fiddle music and won the Adult Div. of the Wyoming State Fiddle Championships in 2003. One of her favorite things was mentoring young fiddlers during their musical journey. She was highly regarded during her studies at universities, the Manchester School Dept. and was loved by her students and friends.

Perhaps six words might describe Mary's life: "I wouldn't change things one bit!"

She is survived by her husband Albert; a son Kurt, in London; a daughter Kate, in Los Angeles; brothers William Russell Savage, of Washington, D.C.; and James Paul Savage of Montvale, Va. along with 3 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her daughter Karen, father Harry B. Savage and mother Lillian R. Chapman Savage.

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