Take Time to Remember One of Our Volunteers

Caroline B. (Casort) Stone
of EndicottCaroline B. (Casort) Stone, of Endicott, NY, passed away Monday, May 24, 2010, from complications of renal failure. Survived by her husband of 58 years, Darrell Stone, Caroline was born June 23, 1930 in Coffeyville, KS to Fred and Hazel Casort. She is predeceased by brothers, Loren, Robert, Mervin and Marvin Casort. Along with her husband, she is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jane Stone-Bush and Wayne Bush of Philadelphia, PA; son and daughter-in-law, David Stone and Donna June of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Christopher Stone-Bush of Osaka, Japan, Stephen and Sara Stone-Bush of Philadelphia, PA and Jillian Stone of Los Angeles, CA; and sister, Alice (Casort) Evans of Pittsburgh, PA. A loving wife, mother and sister, Caroline is most remembered as a musician. Beginning as a high school accompanist in Coffeyville, she was encouraged to study organ and became the organist at St. Paul's Episcopal Church there, a vocation she continued throughout the remainder of her life. After graduating from Coffeyville College of Arts and Sciences, she taught public school music in Sabetha, KS. During her summer break while attending summer classes at UCLA, she was introduced to her future husband, Darrell, by her brother Loren. After marriage, the couple moved to France where Darrell served in the US Army attached to the Air Force, and Caroline served as the chapel organist for the 866th E.A.B. After returning to the States, the pair settled in Endicott, NY where Caroline became church organist for St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Endicott, a position she held for 30 years. At the same time, Caroline started a private piano studio from her home where she shared her joy for music with over 225 children. After her retirement from both, Caroline continued to participate in the community as an interim and substitute organist, including serving as accompanist for the Vestal Community Chorus. She was a member of the American Guild of Organists and a past Dean of the Binghamton Chapter; a past co-chairperson of the local chapter of the National Guild of Piano Teachers; the Midstate Music Teachers Association; the Southern Tier Music Teachers Association; and was a member of the Harmony Club of Binghamton. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, serving since its inception, with C.H.O.W., R.S.V.P. and with the Arts Corp for the Anderson Center at Binghamton University. She was a Past President of her church's Episcopal Church Women chapter, a member of the St. Paul's Altar Guild and other church groups. Caroline and Darrell enjoyed many years of round and square dancing with Shirts and Skirts. They traveled around North America with associated groups and also through Western Europe, including Italy, Spain and Ireland as well.
Funeral Services for Caroline Stone will be held on Friday, May 28, 2010, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Jefferson St., Endicott, NY, Rev. Susanna DesMarais officiating. In lieu of calling hours, a reception will be held at the church immediately after the service. The family asks you to please consider memorial donations as an alternative to flowers in Caroline's memory to the Harmony Club of Binghamton, c/o M. Goetz, 317 E. Edward St., Endicott, NY 13760 for music scholarship programs.

Published in Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin from May 26 to May 27, 2010