Carol Barrett Boltz

Carol Barrett Boltz passed away on November 25th, 2019 at Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dunkirk NY.

Carol was born in 1934 in Warren PA, daughter of the late Romayne (Lesser) and James R. Barrett. She graduated from Warren High School in 1952 and earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory in 1956. While at Oberlin, Carol studied organ under Professor Leo Holden, and was elected to membership in Pi Kappa Lambda, National Music Honor Society. She was later President of the Buffalo Chapter of the Oberlin Alumni Association. It was at Oberlin that she met her former husband, the late John Hofmann, with whom she had two children. In 1981 she received a Master’s degree in Education from SUNY Fredonia.

Carol began her career as a musician when she joined the faculty of Vassar College as Chapel Organist, serving from 195659. She was subsequently Organist and Director of Music at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Buffalo NY, where she served until moving to Fredonia, where she became Organist at the First United Methodist Church, a position she held for 23 years. She was Instructor of Organ at SUNY Fredonia in 197071, and again in 1975, as well as a private teacher of organ and piano for many years in both Buffalo and Fredonia. She presented numerous organ recitals in NY, OH, PA, and Boston, and was accompanist for the Fredonia College Choir’s annual service of Nine Lessons & Carols. She inaugurated the Organ Recital Series at the Fredonia First United Methodist Church. Carol taught remedial reading and math in the Dunkirk Public Schools, and was a piano accompanist at countless grade school music assemblies. She was the organ accompanist for many years for both Fredonia and Dunkirk High Schools’ commencement services held at King Concert Hall.

Carol and her husband Jim were frequent travelers, exploring not only the United States, but Central America and much of Europe as well. They participated in several Elderhostel trips (now Road Scholar), adopting a passion for lifelong learning.

Carol was a member of several professional organizations, including Phi Delta Kappa (national education fraternity), International Reading Association, Dunkirk Teachers’ Association, NYS United Teachers, American Association of University Women, a 59year member of the Buffalo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Chromatic Club of Buffalo, Hymn Society of North America, and Sigma Alpha Iota (professional women’s music fraternity).

She was a member of the Fredonia Preservation Society, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House and its usher staff, on the Board of Directors of the Fredonia Chamber Players, and Coordinator of Sponsored Chairs for the Western New York Chamber Orchestra. A member of the Fredonia Shakespeare Club, she served on the Board of the Friends of Barker Library, and also on the Steering Committee of the Rockefeller Arts Center (SUNY Fredonia) and a board member of the Fredonia College Foundation. Together with her husband, she was awarded the Fredonia Kiwanis Elder Salute in 1997, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in 2000, the DFT Communications Hometown Heroes Award in 2003, and the Footprints Award presented by the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation in 2005.

Carol is survived by her husband, James D. Boltz, whom she married in 1981; a son, Paul Barrett (Mary Chris) Hofmann of Rochester NY; a daughter, Lynn H. (Brian) Waterfield of Warren PA; and a stepson, David James (Isabel) Boltz of Waco TX. Seven grandchildren also survive: Ryan Ottney, Megan Waterfield, Jason Waterfield, Sarah Hofmann, Isabel Soto, Matthew Boltz and Emily Boltz.

Flowers are gratefully declined.

The family suggests memorials to the Carol & Jim Boltz Memorial Fund, administered by the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, 212 Lake Shore Dr W, Dunkirk NY 14048; Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St, Fredonia NY 14063; Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd S.W., Lilburn GA 30047; or a charity of one’s choice.

A memorial service will be held at the Fredonia Opera House at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 4th, 2020.