Beth Kershner Memorial Fund

Hey everyone,
On Wednesday, we suddenly and tragically lost a woman who loved without condition or question. She was a pure light in this world and in her absence we're not entirely sure what to do, but we'll go forward, together.

A long time ago she told me that the one thing that she wanted to do in this world was change one person's life for the better. In her words, she "believed in building bridges of peace and understanding in music and travel." In practice, that meant bringing diverse people together to find common ground and heal the great divides that we have in the world today. She started with the American Soviet Youth Orchestra; took tours with city youth orchestras, including Kansas City Youth Orchestra and Peninsula Youth Orchestra (among many others); but her love and her true passion was the Chicago Children's Choir.

Since she first started working for the CCC in 1995, she has since carried them through four continents and countless countries, spreading joy and hope in the world through music. She had the opportunity to touch thousands of lives, and if my phone and Facebook feed are any indication, she changed more than one. In lieu of flowers, food, gifts (but probably not wine), we're asking for donations to be made in her name to the CCC, to continue to spread her love and promote peace and understanding through music.

We love her, not anywhere as much as she loved all of us, and she's going to miss us, not anywhere as much as we're all going to miss her.

With love and kindness, her children,
 - Ben and Hannah

Post-script:
If you'd like to make donations directly to the choir, they can be sent to:
Attn: Madelaine Mooney
Chicago Children’s Choir
78 E. Washington St. 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602.