Nancy Eft

Nancy Jarrett Eft, 90, of Copeland Oaks and Alliance, passed away at 1 a.m., Sunday, March 22, 2015, quietly, in the care of her faith. Born in Rochester, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1925 to Elizabeth and Arthur Jarrett, she spent her adult life in Alliance from 1950 to 2011. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Neil Eft and two sons, Bradley (Patricia) of Columbus, Ohio and John (Bonnie) of Charlotte, NC. She was an accomplished musician. At the age of eight she began to take piano lessons. At the age of ten, in the depths of the depression, her parents gave her a grand piano. Her first teacher, saying he was unable to teach her anything more, transferred her to the care of an advanced teacher in Pittsburgh. In 1943 she attended Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA graduating in 1946 with a degree in music education. She continued her musical education the rest of her life through courses in Canton, Pittsburgh and Portsmouth, VA. From 1946 to 1949 she taught music in the middle grades at Center Township, Monaca, PA. In that same period she organized and directed an all-girl octet, the Melodettes, which performed widely in the Ohio Valley. She was an accomplished singer, and after moving to Alliance in 1950 she sang and played the piano at weddings, funerals and on invitation. In the mid-sixties she injured her vocal chords and was unable to sing and from then on concentrated on the piano. From 1950 to 1995 she served as a substitute teacher in the Alliance Schools and at the same time spent twelve years with the Union Avenue Preschool and over seventeen years as pianist in the United Brethren Church. She was a member of AAUW, Eastern Star, Searchlight, Panhellenic and Alpha Gamma Delta. For forty-five years she provided music lessons for some 250 youth and adults. Her mechanical mastery of the piano was unequalled. She may be perhaps the only modern pianist who could play two different pieces of music at the same time, using the Stride piano technique on the second, such that it becomes almost subliminal. In her honor, we share with you, an ancient Navajo prayer. House made of dawn. House made of evening light. House made of dark mist. Impervious to pain, may I walk. With lively feelings may I walk. As it used to be long ago, may I walk Happily may I walk. May it be beautiful before me. May it be beautiful behind me. May it be beautiful below me. May it be beautiful above me. May it be beautiful all around me. In beauty it is finished. Private services have been held. Arrangements are by Walton-Schrader Funeral Home 1131 West State Street Alliance OH, (330) 823-9169.

Nancy Eft

April 26, 1925 - March 22, 2015