Jayne (Casselman) Mohr |
| Posted 2016-02-08 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, February 6, 2016 Jayne Casselman Mohr, who sang for 30 years in opera houses throughout Europe and in the U.S., and Central and South America, died Feb. 3, 2016 of complications from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Jayne was born in Sioux City, Iowa to Richard Selway Casselman and Betty Corbit Casselman on Dec. 8, 1955. She graduated from Hiawatha (Kansas) High School and from the University of Kansas. After starting her operatic career with the Kansas City Lyric Opera, she accepted an opportunity to teach singing in Germany and thus began her years of performing and teaching in Europe. In opera circles, Jayne was best known for her late-career performances of dramatic soprano roles like Brunhilde in Wagner's Die Walkure, Isolde in Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde" and Straus's Salome and Elektra. Since moving to Arizona in 2012, she performed in concert, taught voice at Yavapai Community College and produced special musical events. In addition to her remarkable voice, Jayne was known for her adventurous and creative spirit both on and off stage. She could draw an audience into the darkness of a dramatic opera or into the hilarity of a comedic concert. Likewise, she inspired her students, cast and friends to find the possibility in every moment of life. When Jayne performed two demanding Wagnerian roles on two successive nights, a reviewer noted, "By far the most arduous task was allotted to Jayne Casselman, who took both roles (a cruel assignment) to triumph with the unstinting generosity of her singing....." She brought this same indomitable spirit to the challenges of ALS. In 1990, Jayne married Dieter Fister and they had a son, Jonas David Richard Fister. In 1996, Jayne married Gerhard Mohr and they had a daughter, Rebecca Claire Noel Mohr. Jonas lives in Arcosanti near Mayer, Arizona, where he is an artisan. Rebecca is in her junior year of high school in Scottsdale, Arizona. Jayne was preceded in death by her father Richard Casselman; her step-father Paul C. Bradford; and step-nephew Ryan Powell. In addition to her children, she is survived by her mother, Betty Casselman Bradford of Tempe, Arizona; a brother Richard W. (Dierck) Casselman (Scott Van Hove); a sister Claire Casselman ( Lisa Hesse); step-siblings Barbara Bradford (Rick Wall), Bert (Kerri) Bradford, Bruce Bradford and Candy Bradford; as well as step-nieces Erin Wilcox (Jake Kershner), Nicole (Ben) Joldersma, Katy (Greg) Vargas, Paula Bradford, Jessica (Rob) St. Clair and step-nephew Jeremy Bradford. A memorial service and celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at the Recreation Center of Friendship Village, 2645 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, Arizona. And a celebration of life will be at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Church, 882 Sunset Ave., Prescott, Arizona. The family suggests memorial gifts to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.5656, www.hov.org/donate; The Jayne Casselman Vocal Scholarship Fund, www.yc.edu/memorial; or Yavapai College Foundation, 1100 E. Sheldon St., Prescott, AZ 86301. Information provided by survivors. |
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