Debra A Schuerer-DeNoon
May 26, 1957 – November 23, 2011

Former member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus

"Our lovely daughter has joined God's Choir of Angels as Lead Soprano"

Debra A. Schuerer-DeNoon, former member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus, died unexpectedly on Nov. 23. She lived in Evanston, IL for the past 22 years and recently worked at Natural Things, Evanston's Flower Market.

The Soprano sang with the Lyric Opera Chorus 1995-2010. Her solo roles at Lyric included Turandot's Handmaiden (Turandot, 1996-97, Bruno Bartoletti, cond.), Salvation Army Girl (Street Scene, 2001-02, Richard Buckley,cond.), the Valkyrie Ortlinde (Die Walküre, 2002-03, two performances, Sir Andrew Davis, cond.), and Woman (Cavalleria rusticana, 2008-09, Renato Palumbo, cond.). She also understudied several roles as well.

Ms. Schuerer-DeNoon performed as a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus (CSO) from 1986-1997, and she also appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on the following occasions: Overseer, Elektra/Strauss, Daniel Barenboim, cond., Orchestra Hall (1995); Penitent Woman, "Scenes from Goethe's Faust"/Schumann, Christoph Eschenbach, cond., Ravinia Festival(1996); one of six solo voices, Moses und Aron/Schoenberg, Pierre Boulez, cond., Orchestra Hall and Philharmonie, Berlin (1999). She was selected to sing with members of the CSO Chorus on the soundtrack for Disney's Fantasia 2000 (the final section of Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance," James Levine, cond.).

With Indiana's Opera de Lafayette Ms. Schuerer-DeNoon sang solo roles in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance and Mozart's The Magic Flute. She performed as a soloist with several area ensembles, including the James Chorale, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Evansville's Philharmonic Orchestra, Chamber Singers, and Ballet Company.

With colleagues from the Lyric Opera Chorus Ms. Schuerer-DeNoon performed seasonally as a "LyriCaroler" in the Civic Opera Building lobby and elsewhere, dressed in Victorian-style costumes while singing holiday favorites. She also sang several recitals with Lyric colleagues at venues in Door County, Wisconsin. For the past several years she was a professional member of the Chancel Choir of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Evanston.

A native of Neenah, Wisconsin, Ms. Schuerer-DeNoon graduated from Armstrong High School in Neenah in 1975 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where she studied German and music/theater.

"Debra started taking voice lessons as early as 7th grade," recalls her sister Karen Willett. "She was in Swing Choir and Chamber Choir at Armstrong High School, and was highly involved in musicals. She also was involved with summer theater through the RecreationalDepartment
in Neenah. I can't remember a time that she DID NOT sing...it was her life passion!! When we were young girls, we would always put on little shows at family gatherings at our Grandparents' house in West Bend, WI mostly singing Mitch Miller songs. Such good memories."

"She was an avid reader, and her interests included art, horses, cats,movies, poetry, music, and of course flower arranging," notes Richard Jarvie, Ms. Schuerer-DeNoon's beloved partner and friend. "She often told me that the high point in her life was working in the Lyric Opera Chorus. Debra loved life, her family and friends, and most of all, singing."

Ms. Schuerer- DeNoon is survived by her loving partner of many years, Richard "Rick" Jarvie of Chicago. Also her beloved mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Schuerer of Neenah and special friend Bob Tuchscherer; two sisters and three brothers: Donald (Sally), Appleton; Karen (Vann) Willett, Appleton; Michael (Tammy), Plymouth; Patrick and partner John Keathley, Chicago; Jennifer and special friend Mark Wenzel, Menasha; seven nieces and nephews: Nichole and special friend Pat Madison, Ryan, Matthew, Thomas, Mason, Mitchel and Cole; one grand-niece: Nevaeh. She is further survived by Aunts and Uncles; Millie Verbrick, Rosiland Schuerer, Chuck Redig, Bob (Judy) Redig, Paul (Helen) Redig. Also survived by cousins and many beloved freinds.

She was preceded in death by her loving Father, Thomas I. Schuerer, Paternal and Maternal Grandparents as well as Aunts and Uncles.

Farewell loving sentiments from Rick Jarvie
"Peace My Heart," from The Gardener, by Rabindranath Tagore:
Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death but completeness.
Let love melt into memory and pain into songs.
Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest.
Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night.
Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your last words in silence.
I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.

Visitation will be held Thursday December 1, 2011 at ST. BERNARD PARISH (1617 W. Pine St. Appleton) from 9:00 a.m. until Mass at 12 Noon. The Rev. Dennis Ryan will officiate. Committal St. Margaret Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established.

A Chicago-area memorial and tribute concert is being planned.