Mary Barbara Cummings Clintock (Mitzi) Obituary

Mary Barbara Cummings Clintock (Mitzi) was faculty at Wallenpaupack High School in Hawley, PA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Mary Barbara Cummings Clintock (mitzi).

School Role	Faculty
Date of Passing	Jan 18, 2016
About	Mary "Mitzi" Barbara Cummings Clintock, 92, of Honesdale, died Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, at her daughter's home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Laurence G. Clintock, on Dec. 30, 1973. Born on May 2, 1923, in Olyphant, she was the daughter of the late John M. and Violet Murphy Cummings. Growing up, she attended St. Patrick's School in Olyphant and attended Hawley High School. She graduated from Marywood Seminary. In her young age, she began studying piano and later violin. In high school, she played with band and enjoyed performing in concerts. In 1939, she led an all-boys band that marched in the World's Fair in New York. Mitzi later attended Marywood College and graduated with honors and a degree in both music performance and music education. She was then accepted at Julliard School of Music for graduate studies, and also asked to join the faculty at Marywood College. She was able to do both by teaching at Marywood during the week and attending Julliard during the weekends. After meeting and marrying her husband, they began their family in Hawley. She continued private music lessons and enjoyed performing throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In 1969, she began teaching at Wallenpaupack High School. She began the school's marching band and "Purple Mist," the school's jazz band. Both were recognized for outstanding performances throughout the state. In 1972, the marching band performed at the inauguration of Milton Schaap. She also started, along with Robert Fisher, the first Wayne County Band, which brought talented students together from area schools. In 1978, Mitzi traveled with the American Youth Symphony Band and Chorus through a five week tour of Europe as a coach and director. In 1980, she moved to the Wallenpaupack Middle School and in 1983, she retired. Over the years, Mitzi continued to enjoy performing at Misty Corners and at Settler's Inn. In 1999, she was invited to perform at the El San Juan Hotel and Casino in Puerto Rico with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. Mitzi's love and compassion for music began at a young age and she felt her years teaching and sharing her love for music was the best time of her life. In recent years, she enjoyed traveling with friends throughout Europe. She also enjoyed spending time reading and working on crossword puzzles. Surviving are her daughters, Catherine Laurent Clintock Leaf and husband, Dennis R. Leaf, Henderson, Nev.; and Mary B. "Bonnie" Robinson and husband, William, with whom she resided; grandchildren, Zachery Ian Leaf and Christian Patrick Robinson. She was also preceded in death by her cousin, whom she thought of as a sister, Jane Murphy Monaghan. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of her family. Arrangements by Hessling Funeral Home Inc., 428 Main St. Honesdale. Memorial contributions can be made to the Wallenpaupack Area High School Fine Arts Department, c/o Wallenpaupack Area High School, 2552 Route 6, Hawley, PA 18428, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or an animal shelter of the donor's choice.

Classmate Memories

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Jim Bradley '75 said:

Definitely one of the finest faculty members of Wallenpaupack history. Talented, patient, kind, a true leader and friend. I'll never forget wanting to join the stage jazz band in 9th grade, but had never read a drum note in my life. So I never actually joined. Later, in 11th grade, after hearing me play in the talent show, she made a spot for me. She later knew that I was one of the lucky ones to actually make it in the music biz with Interphase, and had congratulated me on our LPs and concerts. She was an amazing lady.

Mitzi you are sorely missed.

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