Meredith J. Dugan-Schoenfeld

Born in Kenosha, WI in 1934, and living her entire working life in Cudahy, WI, Merry died on August 17th after a very full life of musicianship and teaching, adventures of many kinds, and having created a loving family who surrounded her with care.

The daughter of Howard and Helen Quirk Russell, Merry began her journey as a serious musician when her HS band director asked her to play oboe. She studied with a series of oboists, including taking the train by herself to study with Robert Mayer of the Chicago Symphony while in HS. She also played alto sax in ‘swing band.’ Merry graduated from UW-Milwaukee with her music education degree in 1956 and earned her Master’s degree at UC-Boulder where she initiated her love of horse-back riding. Merry joined the Delta Omicron Music Fraternity, a life-long joyful commitment including a long tenure as editor of the Fraternity’s magazine and memberships on both the board of the National Fraternity and The Foundation. Merry had a stellar career in elementary music education in the Cudahy public schools, beginning with choirs and transitioning to band instruction at 3-4 schools. She gave great care to music choices, creating transcriptions and arrangements, and finding just the right solo & ensemble pieces for each student. She created memorable concerts in collaboration with choir directors and gym teachers and earned district teacher of the year. In addition to teaching, Merry played oboe in the newly formed Milwaukee Symphony and later with Milwaukee Civic Orchestra and Civic Band for 30 years as well as stints with the Milwaukee Police Band, Concord Orchestra, and others.

After retirement, Merry reconnected with childhood sweetheart, Roger Schoenfeld, and they were married in 1997. He was the love of her life. They moved to Appleton, traveled extensively, and enjoyed their joint children and grandchildren until his passing. Merry is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Bart De Stasio, their sons Matt (Bailey) and David (Elena) and their daughter Kristi (Ryan), who have enjoyed sharing her love of golfing, music, travel, and tremendous Christmas celebrations. She is also lovingly remembered by stepdaughters Stacy Krause (Steve) and Lee Bembenek (Jerome) and step-grandchildren Mindy, Christine, Marc, and Carl. We all remember her as a kind and independent lady, an insatiable reader and library volunteer, a lifelong educator, and most of all, a woman who loved her family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 2600 Phillips Lane on Saturday, Sept. 13th with visitation at 12:30 pm and service at 2 pm. A link for a livestream can be found at https://fvuuf.org/upcoming-services/ the week prior. Merry has hung up her concert black, so please dress in happy colors. In lieu of flowers, donations in Merry’s honor may be made to The Friends of the Appleton Public Library, The

Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, or The Russell Fund at Lawrence University that supports student excellence.