Lasting Memories
Esther Marie Pfeiffer
June 14, 1931-Dec. 14, 2014
Palo Alto, California
Esther passed away peacefully, after a brief illness, in her home in Palo Alto. She was 83. Esther was one of two daughters of John and Clara Pfeiffer. Her sister, Helen, passed away in 1998. Her longtime companion, Denny Kelly, died earlier this year. Esther was lovingly cared for in her final days by nurses and caregivers from Vitas hospice, Mr. Kelly's two daughters, and some of her close friends.
Esther was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and lived most of her adult life in Palo Alto. She showed an early aptitude for piano and started giving lessons at the age of 14. Esther was a mostly self-taught musician with a sharp and inquisitive mind who attended master classes with renowned musicians, including Ralph Kirkpatrick and Beth Miller Harrod. She read voraciously, teaching herself not only about music, but also history, art and politics. She taught her students that in order to understand any form of music, it is imperative to understand the cultural and political environment in which the music was composed. Esther was a longstanding member of the Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity and the Music Teachers National Association.
Esther gave piano lessons and taught music theory in her home for 69 years. In some families, she taught three generations of students. She leaves behind countless former students and close friends all over the world.
Feb. 16, 2015
When I decided I wanted to enter a piano concerto contest, my sweet previous piano teacher, Catherine George, advised me to begin lessons with Miss Pfeiffer. I am forever grateful to both of these women! The lessons I learned from her have carried me through all aspects of my life: Analyzing problems, breaking them down into their technical components to work on them, then addressing the bigger picture. As a family physician, and as a mother accompanying her kids on their instruments, I think about Esther, in some way, every day. Her mild, prim manner belied her fierce independence--she chose not to drive, own a TV, or any modern communications device invented after the phonograph! When I visited her last year, she gave me a lovely impromptu lesson, focusing on working past the problem of arthritis in my hands. I treasure my good fortune to have crossed paths with Esther, and will continue to pass her wisdom down to my children.
Jan. 12, 2015
Esther was my grandmother's cousin. A lovely cultured lady who adored her piano students, so many she said were dear friends and had become like family. I admired her & appreciated her recently helping to fill in missing pieces of our family history in Lincoln. Thank you to all of her friends and Denny's family for being there for her, blessings to you all, Cheri
Dec. 22, 2014
Thirty years ago I took lessons from Esther in Lincoln, Ne. I loved Esther and when we got married my husband and I went to San Francisco and Carmel for our honeymoon (Dec 1986) and took time out to take Esther to lunch. I'll never forget her.