Deborah Sobol Obituary

I have thought often about Debby over the years, saw a piece on her on TV and planned on getting in touch, thought about her some more over the years, planned on searching for her on the web, thought about her some more over the years. Did a web search and found out she has passed on.

I met Debby at Footlight Ranch in 1965 or 6 or 7. Suzanne was there too. It was a fabulous experience, we all had the wonderful opportunity to work with and train under professional artists in music, theatre, and dance. I can visualize her now, sitting on her bunk in the girls' bunkhouse ... I have photos of her, I will find them and scan them and upload them.

Debby impressed me. She was good people. I am blessed, honored, and happy to have known her. I'm sad that I never did reach across the miles, never called out from my busy life and my frustrating health issue.

Reading about her takes me back to York PA like I was sitting there with her; marveling at her accomplishments my heart soars.

Thank you for all you have done, Debby.

Dear sympathy to your family, the intimate and the arts community.

May the Blessings Be.

Susan Baker

I will always remember growing up across the street from the Sobol's in Kingston and the beautiful music that filled our neighborhood when Debbie and her sister would practice. My condolences and prayers for her family, I am sure she is filling Heaven with beautiful music.
Peace,
Bill Eggleston

March 26, 2014--only moments ago....

I just found this sad news as I was searching for a picture/info of Debbie to share with a friend. I am stunned! Just this afternoon, I was looking through my lesson notebook, thinking back to my days at NU.

I was one of Debbie's students during grad school. We would both show up with our tea for an early class. Sometimes we has a lesson at her home... with tea and a space heater! My students in Washington State know all about Debbie and they get to experience a lot of the practice techniques that I learned from her. She also knew that I really wanted to study art... yet she stuck with me! Thank you, Debbie! You changed my life!

Sending love to all family and friends! Let's keep her spirit alive!

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Deborah Sobol's death from my sister, a former student of hers. I first met Debbie in 1979, when I'd recently arrived in Boston to begin a year of piano study. I was considering becoming a student of her younger sister, Suzanne, and had been invited to one of the monthly potluck-performance gatherings that Debbie and Suzie held for their students. I was very impressed by the kind but rigorous feedback the two sisters and the students gave to each player, and by the clear importance the Sobols placed on nurturing this little community of music-makers. But what won me over totally to the two of them was when they played for us one of the Schubert four-hand piano pieces at which they excelled, the Lebenssturme (Storms of Life). The interplay between the sisters' very different appearances and playing styles — Suzie, shorter and intensely focused directly ahead on the lower part, and Debbie, with rounded arms and flowing wrists, looking upward with eyes half closed, elegantly drawing gorgeous melodies from the heavens — excited my head and sent my heart soaring, but when suddenly those contrasts were obliterated by the end of the piece's midsection, a dramatic pause filled by a short, sharp, shared inhalation, and then unified crashing down into reprise of the powerful three-pulse main theme, I nearly collapsed with joy, and my mind was completely made up on the matter of being part of the magic these two masters were sharing with us! Years later, following Debbie career from afar and then reconnecting with her in Chicago through my sister, I found she'd not only maintained but expanded her involvements with bring the best of music together with the best in people, and I was very pleased. And as someone who was both directly touched by Debbie's beauty of purpose and performance and is himself a creator and performer of music striving to share the delights of creative expression with audiences, I can state with certainty that her life, though cut far too short, was as rich, rewarded, and rewarding for us all as are the lives of most people two or three decades older than she. We were blessed completely with whatever amounts of time and energy we shared with Debbie, and are profoundly thankful for that.

Dear Bing:
Please accept Eve's and my condolences at this tragic time. Deb was very special to the entire music community. She will be greatly missed.

Although it's been many years since we met, I will never forget the kind assistance and support your wife gave me when I formed the concert series at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. We mourn a great musician and national treasure. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerely, Gina Scowins

Our sincere sympathy to Bing, Ben and Sarah on your loss. I have fond remembrances of your family from the earlier days of Near North Montessori, when our children were students and friends. We are thinking of you .

DR.CHANG, MAY GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY.SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS..
MUCH LOVE ANNIE THOMAS

Oh, Bing, we are so sorry to hear of your wife's passing. My heart goes out to you and your children. We will pray for strength for all of you during this difficult time.

Dear Bing and family,

Debbie was such a beautiful and loving person. We had the pleasure of meeting her at Mel's 90th birthday party in Seattle. Our deepest sympathies for such an untimely loss.

Our hearts go out to Bing and his family. Deb touched me and Amy in many ways.
Her grace and kindness were amazing. We are all at a loss today--why did it happen?
how can this ever ever be explained?
Our love and prayers go out to the entire community--how many people can you say and mean "community:?
Best--Amy and Jon Coblyn

May persevering in prayer comfort you and your family. Romans 12:12. N.S.

Dear Bing, Ben and Sarah. My heart goes out to you all. I am so sorry for your loss, and know it must be devastating. Debbie's warmth, generosity and clear, pure spirit were a gift to us all. I am side-lined with a back injury or would be with you on Friday. My love and thoughts are with you.

We are stunned by Debbie's passing. What a beautiful, talented, warm, loving woman - who gave so much and will live on in the hearts of so many. Our hearts go out to Bing, Ben and Sarah. May you all feel her presence and love in every step of your journey as you go forward. May God bless her memory and all of you. May the beautiful music she created help your souls to sing even in the midst of your sorrow. Our prayers are with you - with love, Sunny, Frank, Dominic and David Lopez

My deepest condolences. So very sorry for your loss.
Rita

Dear Dr. Chang
Though I did not know her, perhaps I caught a glimpse .... as I suspect she was part of that warm bright light in your eyes.

My Dear Debbie,
Words can not express how you have touched my life. Bing, Ben, Sarah, my thoughts and prayers are with you all and may the comfort of others be with you during these difficult moments. Debbie's smile is shining upon you and watching over you. I'm so very sorry I'm not able to be with you for the services but my heart will be with you all.

We mourn the passing of a great musician, a great ambassador for music, and a wonderful neighbor. Our thoughts are with Bing and the children.