Dorothy Warne Cordwell, 93

Dorothy Warne Cordwell, 93, of Pinehurst, slipped away peacefully in her sleep on July 16, 2013, at the Shoshone Medical Center Hospice Unit in Kellogg.

Born June 23, 1920, in Denver, Colo., to Irene and Henry Dahlberg, Dorothy was the middle of five children: Henry, Grace, Dorothy, Stanley and Kenneth. Dorothy was blessed at birth with pitch recognition, also known as perfect pitch. This was influential in leading her to a career in music. She started piano lessons at an early age, and began organ instruction at age 12. Because she skipped a grade in elementary school, Dorothy graduated from high school in Denver just before her 17th birthday. Although music was an important part of her youth she had other interests. In particular, Dorothy enjoyed with her family a summer cabin nestled in the mountains of Colorado and was proud of having climbed Pike’s Peak.

At age 16, Dorothy was granted a four-year full tuition scholarship to the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, N.Y. She was one of six entering students to be further awarded a coveted four-year Rochester Prize Scholarship. Dorothy earned her Bachelor of Music with Distinction in 1941 from Eastman, and a Master of Music degree in 1942 from the University of Rochester. Her graduate thesis was entitled: “The Use of Organ with Orchestra.”

At college, she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) W. Cordwell, a medical student at the University of Rochester. When Dorothy graduated with her master’s degree, Bob graduated from the medical school. They were married on June 11, 1942, in Syracuse, N.Y. They moved to New Haven, Conn., where Bob interned. After completing his medical training, Bob joined the Army/Air Force to serve in World War II. The couple was stationed for a time in Deming, N.M., where they confronted challenges from snakes, a gas leak in their small house, and a live-in landlady.

The next place of residence for Dorothy was Denver, where she moved so as to be near her folks for the birth of her first child, Ann. Bob was sent to Alaska for military service and Dorothy remained with her parents and baby daughter for some 18 months before again seeing her husband; the couple wrote letters to each other daily. Dorothy interviewed for organist jobs in the Denver area. At last she obtained a good position, only to receive notice a short time later that the Army was allowing the families of service members to join them in Alaska.

Flying to Alaska with a toddler during wartime was a difficult undertaking. Dorothy talked about sharing a hotel room in Seattle with other young, exhausted mothers, before the final leg of the flight. While in Anchorage, she used her music skills in playing piano for a church and directing their choir. There was no shortage of men from the base, but female singers were short supply. Dorothy recruited some women whom she suspected of being “ladies of the night” to help fill the sections.

After the war the couple moved to Pueblo, Colo., where Bob did further medical training. Child No. 2, Carolyn, was born there. After several months the couple moved to Kellogg where Bob took up medical practice. Their final two children, William (Bill) and Diana were born there. After living and working in the Kellogg area until 1984, Dorothy and Bob retired to Sun City West, Ariz.

In Arizona, Dorothy quickly found work as a church organist. Bob found himself being introduced as “Dorothy’s husband.” Well into her senior years, Dorothy continued to bless others with her music. Besides beautifying Sunday services she played in some special concerts. A big highlight was when she was guest organist at a huge ecumenical Thanksgiving service held at the metrodome in Sun City West, which seats thousands.

After being widowed in 1995, Dorothy lived in Arizona for several more years until she decided to “go back home” to North Idaho. She bought a house in Pinehurst, and even up to age 90 taught a few piano students. Until a few months before her death she played for services at the Osburn Community Baptist Church. One comment given was that she played a “remarkable and flawless rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus during a church service in late December” (2012).

Dorothy and music go hand in hand, and she used her talents to serve her community in a number of ways. Particularly through her teaching of piano and organ to children and adults she had a positive impact on countless lives; she taught probably hundreds of students in the Silver Valley. Dorothy was an occasional judge of piano competitions across the Western United States. Decades ago she gave a concert at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Pinehurst to dedicate its new organ. She played for numerous weddings and funerals; she performed for the Sunshine Mine fire memorial service. She was a strong supporter of community concerts and attended local performances in Wallace up until her death.

Dorothy always had a strong faith, and read her Bible regularly — usually at the breakfast table. She very much enjoyed a good group Bible study and was eager to participate in questions and lively discussion. Dorothy was very patriotic. For several years in Kellogg she served as a Precinct Committee Woman. She never missed voting in an election. Reading was an important component in the Cordwell household. Dorothy preferred non-fiction books and publications. She often would search her Encyclopedia Britannica for information on history and geography. She was interested in the biographies of musical composers and in the analysis of music. She had a large collection of musical reference books.

As an illustration of her keen ear, when digital phones replaced rotary-dial phones each number on the phone keypad had a different pitch. Dorothy memorized phone numbers by the tunes made by the keys.

Although intensely musically inclined, Dorothy demonstrated that she could also learn in other academic subjects. Once, when being teased by her husband about being too right-brained, she took on a new challenge. Through Kellogg High School she took an extension course in chemistry from the University of Idaho. Applying diligent effort and her usual strain of perfectionism, she succeeded brilliantly in the class, earning the highest grade.

Dorothy enjoyed travel to Europe. After being widowed, she made a couple of journeys to hear and play beautiful sacred music on large, historical organs in magnificent churches and cathedrals. She spoke of the privilege of playing the oldest existing pipe organ in Europe.

During her lifetime Dorothy lived in several states: Colorado, New York, Connecticut, New Mexico, Alaska, Idaho and Arizona. She had memberships in the American Guild of Organists, the Washington State Music Teachers Association, Eastern Star and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Dorothy is survived by her children: Ann (Frederick) Haller of Pinehurst; Carolyn (Donald) McCarthy of Tucson, Ariz.; William (Rosemary) Cordwell of Albuquerque, N.M.; and Diana (Joseph) Johns of Fairbanks, Alaska. Her seven grandchildren are Michael Haller, Deborah Fields, Lori Shine, David McCarthy, and Robert, Kristin and Katherine Cordwell. Great-grandchildren are Matthew Haller, and Leah and Allison Shine. Surviving siblings of Dorothy are Stanley (Sue) Dahlberg and Kenneth (Barbara) Dahlberg. A local cousin is Keith (Lois) Dahlberg. There are 10 nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Irene Dahlberg; her husband, Robert W. Cordwell; her brother, Henry Dahlberg and her sister, Grace Gibson.

A memorial service for Dorothy will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Pinehurst. Pastor Ken Bartle will officiate; following the service there will be a reception at the church. A private inurnment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Kellogg. One may sign Dorothy’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is entrusted with arrangements and may be contacted for further information at (208) 786-5121.

The family has suggested that memorial donations be made to: Shoshone County Community Concert Association, P.O. Box 469, Wallace, ID 83873 or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-5000.

The family particularly wishes to express appreciation to the Regency Courtyard in Pinehurst where Dorothy received very caring assisted living services for a few weeks before being hospitalized, and to the rehabilitation and hospice staff at Shoshone Medical Center for their loving care in the last weeks of her life. Heartfelt gratitude from the family goes to a few individuals who spent many hours visiting and comforting Dorothy during her final days: Lois and Keith Dahlberg, Susan Dahlberg and Mary Davis. Thank you also to Pastor Ken Bartle of Our Savior Lutheran Church for presiding at the memorial service and to Marylinn Heikkila, for playing the organ. The family is grateful to the Ladies of Our Savior Lutheran Church, under the leadership of Nancie Burkhart, for preparing and serving food at the reception. Assisting with this is the P.E.O. Chapter M.

Dorothy said that when she got to Heaven she wanted to play the harp, a skill she admired but never attained. These words from Psalm 33 seem appropriate: “Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”