Terry Wagner Ling entered new life on January 11, 2023, at West View Healthy Living, surrounded by her three loving daughters. Devoted wife and mother, accomplished musician, dedicated educator, world traveler, she was ten days shy of her 101st birthday.
She was born in Ludwigsburg Germany on January 21, 1922 to Otto and Ria Wagner. She grew up in North Bergen, NJ, studying cello under Evsei Beloussoff at The Juilliard School and at the Henry Street Settlement School in New York City.
She performed extensively in orchestras and ensembles in New Jersey, eventually winning a full scholarship to Stetson University in Deland, Florida. While at Stetson she taught in the Music School, both as an undergraduate and as a graduate student, and was a member of the Faculty String Trio. She served as president of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and the Panhellenic Society. After graduation, she taught at Hockaday School for Girls in Dallas, Texas.
She married Stuart Ling in 1948 and moved to Wooster in 1949. She played cello in the Wooster Symphony Orchestra, where she held first chair for many years and holds the distinction of having played under every conductor of the ensemble from founder Dan Parmalee through the current maestro, Jeffrey Lindberg.
While raising three daughters, she was a beloved teacher of German at Wooster High School; her students still refer to her fondly as “The Frau.” After retiring from the High School, she taught cello students at home and at Central Christian school and played in several ensembles including the Secrest String Quartet, the Ashland Symphony, and the Mansfield Symphony. Additionally, she performed with Stuart at brown bag events both as a cellist and as a vocalist, and provided music for countless weddings, funerals and regional community events. After moving to West View, she continued to perform in recitals for the residents and their guests well into her 90s. A lifetime gold member of the American Federation of Musicians, she held cards in Local 802 (New York City), Local 78 (Syracuse), and Local 159 (Mansfield).
She was an active member of MacDowell Club for 25 years, St. James Church choir for 25 years, St. James Vestry, AAUW and NAACP. She served as member and president of the Tucker Society of St. James, Monday Club, and the College Circle. She also volunteered for FISH, AAUW and Meals on Wheels.
Later in life, she and Stuart traveled extensively both worldwide and domestically, and met their goal of visiting all fifty states.
Those who knew her always recall her zest for life, sharp sense of humor, extraordinary ability to connect with others and her dedication to making good music.
She was preceded in death by her husband Stuart James Ling, sister Sonia and two infant brothers. She is survived by her sister Isolde, daughters Kristine Holt (Richard), Karen Ling (Larry Zupancic), Kati Olsen (Niels Olsen), grandchildren Sarah Holt Power, Niels Stuart Olsen, Timothy Holt, Lauren Aczon, Andrew Olsen and Evan Aczon; and seven great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
A private interment at St. James Episcopal Church will occur on what would have been her 101st birthday. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2023, with details to follow.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Terry W. Ling and Stuart J. Ling Memorial Fund. (The fund will endow an annual scholarship to a music education major with a preference given to a cellist). Checks may be made out to The College of Wooster with “Ling Memorial Fund” in the memo and mailed to 1189 Beall Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
So sorry to hear of your loss. So glad I got to know your Mom as a neighbor for many years and highly respected teacher at WHS. One other group she was was part of was the Mother’s Club with my Mom and many others over many years. If we can be so lucky to live so long with much love around her. You guys have such a great role model and many great memories! Much ❤️ Winnie
To all the “Klings”, my deepest condolences at the loss of your wonderful mom Frau Ling. She wàs a memorable teacher and musician. Wooster has lost a treasured gem. Sara Nolt Barstow
Such an incredible and accomplished woman! So many wonderful memories with the Ling family! Frau Ling was So beloved by her students as she truly cared about them as individual’s and succeeding in their endeavors. She had a great sense of humor and a zest for living. She would say her greatest accomplishment were her three daughters and her grandchildren whom she loved dearly. She is now with the love of her life, Stewart, performing on her cello, playing the most beautiful symphony in heaven while he leads the orchestra. Our deepest sympathy and love to the Lings and their extended families.
Deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved mother. Our memories go back to the 50’s when we were kids and all lived in a wonderful neighborhood on Spink Street.
Peace and love.
My condolences.
She was a wonderful cello teacher and a kind person.
I remember that she figured out that I would always screw up after she complimented me (from embarrassment?) and that she brought that to my attention. A lesson I have held onto all these years.
I am happy I got to share some time with her in this life.
–Patricia Zetelumen, nee Elwell
Frau Ling was a gifted teacher who motivated me to be a life-long learner of the German language, history, and culture. I have fond memories of her smile, her wit, and her humor. She was a very special person who connected with people on a personal level and improved her community while living a full life. She will be remembered with great respect for the person she was and for her many high accomplishments.
I am sad at the passing of a grand lady, a friend and a teacher. Your mother’s beautiful smile brightened my day as she taught me to play the cello (starting at age 50!) but I also remember Frau Ling as I learned German and later taught with her at WHS. She loved to talk about her daughters and/or Stuart and the activities of their life. She had such energy and sparkle! I will miss her but like you will enjoy her every time I remember the ways she touched my life.
Frau Ling was my delightful, skilled Deutschlehrerin at WHS. Arriving in a commune in Essen summer of 72, I came equipped for a 4 year stay. During lunch back stateside at Rubbermaid, I found myself understanding & entering into conversation between German coworkers who had married GI’s. Then, leaving the shop to attempt to teach myself, I found it was much harder than she made it look. Finally, one of my first students was a mutual friend whom she and Stuart met while on a river cruise in Russia. Mein herzliches Beileid an die ganze Familie…
I will forever cherish the friendship of this vibrant lady!
My condolences to your family. I remember her from long ago. I know she was a very talented and kind person.
I will never forget “Mrs. Ling” as she was my cello teacher for 7 years, and I always enjoyed having my lessons in her cozy living room. She believed in my ability and encouraged me to try things I might not have had the confidence to undertake on my own. Thanks to her inspiration, I continued playing my cello after college and
currently play in a community orchestra.
I remember Terry from singing alto in the St. James Choir as a young girl until I left for college in 1959. We called her “Perfect Pitch Terry” I admired her and even babysat for them . My sister, Helen, even named her three girls after Kristine, Karen and Kati. I remember that she started teaching her girls German as well as English from the very beginning. I once visited her at Westview Manor, but she no longer remembered me. My condolences to the family and fond memories of both Terry and Stuart.