Obituary for Karleen I. Teply
Williston, Vermont: Anybody feel a disturbance in The Force the morning of February 13th? The indomitable Karleen (nee Nie) Teply passed away just shy of her 78th birthday from the ravages of ovarian cancer. Karleen most emphatically did not want to leave this life, but when she did, it was at home with her best friend Patty Griffin close by, and cats "Simba" and "Feather" at the fire.
Karleen graduated UVM with a Masters in Music Education; her whole career was teaching music and conducting choruses for 34 years in South Burlington, Vermont. As many musicians must, she juggled part-time jobs and activities at the same time. Her longest extra-curricular gig, lasting 33 years, was the South Burlington Community Chorus which she founded in 1976 under the auspices of the South Burlington Recreation Department. The membership swelled from an original twelve singing Christmas carols with a guitar to an ensemble as large as seventy performing Orff's "Carmina Burana," the Beethoven "Choral Fantasy," and Brahms' "Requiem." This chorus of amateur adult singers adored her banter and entertaining rehearsal style. She was so smart, energetic and quick-witted!
Kris was born March 12, 1944, the second daughter of Karl Nie (thus her name, "Karleen") and Ingeborg Schubert. Both German parents influenced her tremendously. Kris was just starting her senior year in high school when her beloved mother died at age 46 after battling cancer for a year and a half. That immense loss was traumatizing, impacting the trajectory of Kris's life forever. She vowed to live the life her mother never got to enjoy. She sure did.
Nothing Kris did was halfway. Ever. Nobody loved Christmas more than she. Every ornament of her vast collection was deliberately placed on a perfectly laden tree. Kris was in her element entertaining her neighbors at the Christmas party she and Patty hosted every year. Complete with live music performed by the two of them, the finale was always a spirited rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with her directing. Everybody, even non-singers, was assigned a solo. It was chaotic and wonderful!
She appreciated fancy cars, beautiful gardens, flawlessly performed classical music, nature, and anything to do with the water.
As hard as Kris approached work, recreation was expressed with equal intensity. In the summer, she boated on Lake Champlain. Her final vessel was a Carver 32' Aft Cabin cruiser liveaboard. It was an extension of her personality. "I swear to God, Allegro was me, and I was Allegro." The marina lifestyle was a perfect fit with her highly social nature: play on the water during the day, and party hearty at night, Luksusowa Vodka martini in hand.
Kris was no ordinary boater. She served 47 years in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Burlington Division 1502. A masterful instructor, her knowledge of boating safety and seamanship was second to none in a venue dominated by men. She was the first person in the flotilla to wear the crossed oars of Coxswain, a highly coveted and rare designation.
Once she retired from teaching at age 55, Kris drove to Florida every year to spend some of the winter in Bonita Springs, Florida. As was typical of her, she immediately integrated deeply in the social life of the Little Hickory Bay community with the five B's: Beach, Bingo, Bocce, Boating, and Bunko. The relationships she forged there were nurtured all year long. Even as everyone was scattered across the country during the off season, these caring people showered her with cards, care packages, and messages of love and support during her illness. Good friends and cherished family were the glue that kept her going in the face of her terrible prognosis.
"Auntie" was beloved by her family: Melanie Potter and her husband Hilon, Erin Grim and her husband Brian, their little charmer that stole her heart, baby Eliza Grim, and Christopher Potter (all of Hyde Park, NY);John Oesterreich and his partner, Adriana Bradshaw (College Point, NY), Catalina Ibarguen (Austin, Texas) Keith Oesterreich (Dawsonville, Georgia), and Kevin Potter(Somerville, MA).
Many thanks to the UVM Medical Center, the caring oncologist Dr. Charles Ashley, and his fabulous team. UVM's Hospice and Palliative Care Unit was incredible, guiding and supporting Kris and her caretaker when the end was eminent. As she wished, Kris was cremated; a celebration of life and a joyous send-off will be arranged later, when the boats are in the water at the Champlain Marina in Colchester.
Karleen graduated UVM with a Masters in Music Education; her whole career was teaching music and conducting choruses for 34 years in South Burlington, Vermont. As many musicians must, she juggled part-time jobs and activities at the same time. Her longest extra-curricular gig, lasting 33 years, was the South Burlington Community Chorus which she founded in 1976 under the auspices of the South Burlington Recreation Department. The membership swelled from an original twelve singing Christmas carols with a guitar to an ensemble as large as seventy performing Orff's "Carmina Burana," the Beethoven "Choral Fantasy," and Brahms' "Requiem." This chorus of amateur adult singers adored her banter and entertaining rehearsal style. She was so smart, energetic and quick-witted!
Kris was born March 12, 1944, the second daughter of Karl Nie (thus her name, "Karleen") and Ingeborg Schubert. Both German parents influenced her tremendously. Kris was just starting her senior year in high school when her beloved mother died at age 46 after battling cancer for a year and a half. That immense loss was traumatizing, impacting the trajectory of Kris's life forever. She vowed to live the life her mother never got to enjoy. She sure did.
Nothing Kris did was halfway. Ever. Nobody loved Christmas more than she. Every ornament of her vast collection was deliberately placed on a perfectly laden tree. Kris was in her element entertaining her neighbors at the Christmas party she and Patty hosted every year. Complete with live music performed by the two of them, the finale was always a spirited rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with her directing. Everybody, even non-singers, was assigned a solo. It was chaotic and wonderful!
She appreciated fancy cars, beautiful gardens, flawlessly performed classical music, nature, and anything to do with the water.
As hard as Kris approached work, recreation was expressed with equal intensity. In the summer, she boated on Lake Champlain. Her final vessel was a Carver 32' Aft Cabin cruiser liveaboard. It was an extension of her personality. "I swear to God, Allegro was me, and I was Allegro." The marina lifestyle was a perfect fit with her highly social nature: play on the water during the day, and party hearty at night, Luksusowa Vodka martini in hand.
Kris was no ordinary boater. She served 47 years in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Burlington Division 1502. A masterful instructor, her knowledge of boating safety and seamanship was second to none in a venue dominated by men. She was the first person in the flotilla to wear the crossed oars of Coxswain, a highly coveted and rare designation.
Once she retired from teaching at age 55, Kris drove to Florida every year to spend some of the winter in Bonita Springs, Florida. As was typical of her, she immediately integrated deeply in the social life of the Little Hickory Bay community with the five B's: Beach, Bingo, Bocce, Boating, and Bunko. The relationships she forged there were nurtured all year long. Even as everyone was scattered across the country during the off season, these caring people showered her with cards, care packages, and messages of love and support during her illness. Good friends and cherished family were the glue that kept her going in the face of her terrible prognosis.
"Auntie" was beloved by her family: Melanie Potter and her husband Hilon, Erin Grim and her husband Brian, their little charmer that stole her heart, baby Eliza Grim, and Christopher Potter (all of Hyde Park, NY);John Oesterreich and his partner, Adriana Bradshaw (College Point, NY), Catalina Ibarguen (Austin, Texas) Keith Oesterreich (Dawsonville, Georgia), and Kevin Potter(Somerville, MA).
Many thanks to the UVM Medical Center, the caring oncologist Dr. Charles Ashley, and his fabulous team. UVM's Hospice and Palliative Care Unit was incredible, guiding and supporting Kris and her caretaker when the end was eminent. As she wished, Kris was cremated; a celebration of life and a joyous send-off will be arranged later, when the boats are in the water at the Champlain Marina in Colchester.