Clara Mae Enright

clara enright

June 5, 1924 ~ April 9, 2018

Born in: Rockford, IL
Resided in: Atlanta, GA

Clara Mae Enright, age 93, formerly of Evanston, IL, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2018 in Atlanta, GA. Born on June 5, 1924 in Rockford, IL, she was predeceased by her parents, Casper and Anna Bargren Sandehn, her sister, Carolyn Miner, and her husband of 67 years, Richard Gordon Enright. Clara Mae, or “Sandy”, as she preferred to be called, was a gifted musician and received both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Although her degrees were granted for her study of the organ, she was also a talented pianist and was blessed with a beautiful soprano voice. While at Northwestern, she was a member of  Sigma Alpha Iota professional music sorority and was one of four juniors in the School of Music to be elected to Pi Kappa Lamba, a scholastic fraternity. She played with the Northwestern symphony orchestra, soloing on the organ and piano at two university concerts, played for various campus functions and was organist for the choral groups. During the summer following her graduation from NU, she studied organ in Boston with E. Power Biggs, noted concert organist and recording artist. She also studied voice at the New England Conservatory of Music. In the fall of 1947, Sandy joined the faculty of Bessie Tift College in Forsyth, GA, and taught for a year in the school’s music department. Following completion of her master’s degree, she taught organ and theory at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, and played frequently on programs over St. Paul and Northfield’s radio station WCAL. Returning to Northwestern for postgraduate work, in organ, piano and theory, she met her future husband, Richard  “Dick” Enright, an equally gifted organist who had returned from WWII and was pursuing advanced music degrees in organ at the university. Theirs was a musical match made in heaven. They were married in 1949 and embarked on a musical journey, highlighted by numerous recitals and choral performances together in the Chicago area. After their children were born, Sandy continued her musical activities by teaching piano and voice at their home, and serving as the soprano soloist at First Presbyterian Church in Evanston during her husband’s tenure there as organist and choral director. Also during Richard’s 35 years on the faculty of the School of Music at Northwestern, Sandy was the consummate professor’s wife, graciously entertaining students and colleagues alike. Her passions were opera and baking and she will always be remembered for animatedly singing along to the soprano arias on Saturday afternoons when she religiously tuned in to the “Live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York” radio shows while baking apple pies, angel food cakes, Swedish pepperkakor or spritz cookies. In 2005, Sandy and Dick escaped the harsh Chicago climate and relocated to Lenbrook Square in Atlanta, GA, to be closer to their daughter and her family. She is survived by daughter, Catharine (Walton Reeves) and son, Steven (Krista) of Arlington, TX; and grandsons, Harrison Reeves, and Kevin and Scott Enright. She is also survived by her nephew, William Miner (Pam) and their children; and niece, Nancy Nilsen (David) of Rockford, IL. The family would like to thank all of her wonderful caregivers at Lenbrook and Crossroads Hospice for their kindness and good care. A private family service will be held at a future date at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. Tax deductible contributions may be made to the American Guild of Organists, Enright Scholarship, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260, New York, NY 10115.

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  1. Sacramenta Landrum says:

    My deepest condolences to the Enright family and friends for the loss of your loved one Clara. When Jesus Christ was here on Earth he performed all sorts of astounding miracles. He fed the poor Matthew 14:17-21,cured people from whatever diseases and infirmities they had Matthew 9:35, brought back to life 8 people young and old that had fallen asleep in death one of them was his friend Lazarus that has been dead for 4 days John 11:11-44. These astounding miracles that Jesus performed while he was here on Earth foreshadowed what he will do very soon right here on a brand new Paradise Earth no more sickness pain or death Life Without End Revelation 21:1-5 jw.org.


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