Alice Hoffman McAvoy, 96; Pianist, Music Teacher, Long-Time Glastonbury Resident

Alice Hoffman McAvoy, 96, passed away on April 21, 2015.

Alice was born March 7, 1919 to the late Joseph F. Hoffman and Lilly C. Hoffman in Badin, NC, and grew up in High Point, NC.

After completing two years at High Point College, Alice was awarded a scholarship to study music at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in 1942 from the Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College, and later earned a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Columbia University in New York.

While teaching piano from 1946-1953 at Riverdale Country Day School in New York, NY, Alice met her husband, Robert J. McAvoy. Bob and Alice were married on June 20th, 1953 at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach, SC. They settled in Glastonbury, CT in October of 1956, where Alice has resided ever since.

Alice’s passion in life was music. She got her start in music at a very early age, playing on a local radio show where she accompanied aspiring artists on the piano, often playing by ear without the aid of sheet music. She owned two Steinway pianos which she used to teach piano lessons in her home for close to 50 years.

She loved Broadway musicals, had season tickets for many years to the Hartford Symphony, and was the accompanist for the Nayaug Choir. Alice had perfect pitch and could play beautifully by ear. She continued to play piano regularly right up until her death.

Besides playing the piano, Alice enjoyed reading, watching classic movies, and going for walks. She continued to enjoy her daily walks until shortly before her death. She volunteered weekly as a pricer at the Child and Family Services Thrift Shop in Glastonbury.

She was very fond of North Myrtle Beach, SC, having vacationed there as a child. Alice and her husband Bob made North Myrtle Beach the destination of their own family vacations, a tradition that has extended for four generations.

Alice leaves her son Bob and wife Joyce of Hinsdale, IL, daughter Beth and husband Bob Stewart of Tolland, CT, and son John and wife Adriane of Charleston, SC, plus six grandchildren: James McAvoy, Kay and Caroline Stewart, and Drew, Elyse and Julia McAvoy. In addition, she leaves one sister, Bonnie Lowe, a sister-in-law, Patricia McAvoy, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Bob, and sisters Elizabeth Reagan and Josephine Perdue.

The family thanks the staff at Emeritus at Buckingham Estates for their loving care of Alice.

A memorial service will be held at The Congregational Church in South Glastonbury on Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to The Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, 949 Main Street, South Glastonbury, CT 06073.

Please visit www.glastonburyfuneral.com for more information or to leave online condolences. -