Nell Warda

Nell Warda, formerly of Gary, Indiana, passed away surrounded by the warmth and love of her family. A graduate of Emerson High School, Nell went on to pursue her passion of music education and performance. She studied music and music theory at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and Church Music at the University of Chicago. Nell was a student at the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. She also studied organ with Andre Wherle, John Seagard, and Dwight Davis. It was no surprise to family and friends that Nell was recognized for her talent, when at the age of 18, she was a featured soloist with the Chicago symphony. In 1945, Nell was invited to play for Eleanor Roosevelt during the opening of Roosevelt College in Chicago. Nell was a private piano teacher for many years and the minister of music at Plymouth Congregational Church for 55 years. In addition to her commitment to the music ministry, she was also a secretary at the Gary School Corporation retiring after nearly 40 years of service. Although her career was infused with significant successes, Nell found her deepest satisfaction in her love of family, friends and of course, animals. Her joy spanned the spectrum from a rousing Rachmaninoff piano concerto to the simplicity of a yellow finch perched outside her bedroom window. Nell embraced life and love with every element of her being. Nell was preceded in death by her parents, (David and Abigail Warda), her brothers (Charles and William Warda), and her sister (Lil Yonan). Nell is survived by her niece, Barbara Canaday (husband Gary) and her nephew William Yonan; grand nieces, Lori Ellwanger (Todd), Allison Barber (David), Mellisa Yonan, (Mark Horn), Tracie Miller (Jay), and grand nephew Matt Yonan (Amanda). Nell is also survived by great nephews, Matt Kline, Zach Ellwanger, Dixon, Jonah and Fitsum Yonan; and great nieces, Madeleine and Abigail Yonan, Hannah and Haley Miller, Chloe, Claire and Caroline Horn. A Funeral service for Nell will be held Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., at Burns Funeral Home, 701 East 7th Street, Hobart. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Nell's memory to the Hamilton County Humane Society, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, or Our Brothers Keeers Homeless Ministry, in Indianapolis. www.burnsfuneral.com.

Nell Warda

March 11, 1923 - October 17, 2018