In Memoriam

Skip Harlan Mar 20, 2003 Harry Barner May 16, 2004 Mel Harlan October 25, 2006 Judy Thiers January 5, 2007 Maxine Bell February 13, 2010

Skip Harlan "Farewell..." A very sad note resounded throughout the ONHB's musical family with the death (on March 20, 2003) of one of our charter members, Skip Harlan. Skip had been with the band since its very first meeting in April, 1999. She joined with the goal of learning to play the cello. Even though she had always loved music and had sung with many choirs, the cello was brand new to her. She made remarkable progress in the four years of her experience with our band, as well as through other learning opportunities and private lessons. (Soon, her husband, Mel, joined the trumpet section of the ONHB and they made it a shared venture.) She always came ready to play and to participate in various band activities. Her puckish sense of humor often came to the fore, and she loved it when Director Vic Jowders would teasingly say, "Hold it down, Skip. You're drowning out the brass section!" Though health problems had beset her in recent years and slowed her physically, her strong spirit and enthusiasm for life never wavered, and she continued to play her music until the last weeks of her life. We will miss that spirit and enthusiasm. We will miss her music. We will miss our friend. Skip especially liked a piece of music called The Chimes of Liberty - so much so that she purchased it for the band. It will now be dedicated to her memory with a special inscription. Harry Barner "I'd rather be sailing" Members of the Olympia New Horizons Band were saddened to learn of the death of former member, Harry Barner, on May 16, 2004. Harry played cornet with the band for several years, leaving only when he moved to Eastern Washington. Even after his move, he took every opportunity to sit in with the band whenever he returned to Olympia for visits. Harry was an enthusiastic, loyal member of the New Horizons Band, who enjoyed the music and the camaraderie. He will be remembered with respect and fondness. The band dedicated the musical arrangement Emblem of Freedom in his memory. Mel Harlan "A good and gentle man..." With sorrow, we learned on October 25, 2006, of the death of our friend, Mel Harlan. Mel had been a dedicated, active member of the band almost from its beginning in 1999. His wife, Skip, (who preceded him in death in 2003) was a charter member of the Olympia New Horizons Band. She encouraged him to reclaim the trumpet he'd first played more than forty years earlier, and join in the musical fun we were all having. In addition to his work as a printer and photographer with the State Department of Transportation, Mel developed a wide variety of interests and activities, including fishing (first and foremost), scuba diving, aircraft, music, and traveling in the United States, and beyond. He was devoted to his family members and their own individual activities. Mel participated fully in the band --as he did in life-- in his own comfortably quiet, behind-the-scenes, supportive way. With his kind heart and boyish grin, he was a friend to everyone who knew him. Mel was one of those people who, without even realizing it, make the world a better place. The ONHB has added to its repertoire Red's White and Blue March by Red Skelton, a favorite of Mel's, as a special song to honor his memory. Judy Thiers "She died as she lived -- with strength and a love for life, surrounded by her family..." Judy Thiers left us on January 5, 2007. Judy and her husband, Ralph, were instrumental in advising Vic Jowders to start the Olympia New Horizons Band, and both were original New Horizons Band members in Olympia. We owe them immeasurable gratitude for their vision, support, and encouragement in helping get our wonderful group off the ground. Judy met Ralph at a square dance in Boston in 1952, and they wed in 1954. They remained deeply in love throughout their marriage. Judy expressed her love for others in many ways, but especially through cooking and music. Judy played the piano throughout her life, at home in duets with Ralph on clarinet, and as part of informal ensembles entertaining around the area. She enthusiastically took up the bass drum later in life so she could help breathe life into our New Horizons Band. With her sweet smile and joy in life, she was fun to be around. She was always trying to figure out ways to help others, to make them feel better. Even when she was losing her battle with Parkinson's and Lewy bodies attacking her physical body, she never stopped caring. To the end, she was a loving, caring lady. We miss her. Maxine Bell "Maxine was a loving, courageous, giving soul with a passion for life, family, and music." Maxine Bell passed peacefully on February 13, 2010, after a gradual decline in health. Maxine was a wonderful bassoon player, and was with our Olympia band for several years. Even though she was unable to play her bassoon with us in the last couple of years, she would still visit whenever she had the strength, to listen to us and encourage us. Maxine was multi-talented, and a tireless volunteer in various community organizations. She was an army veteran, medically retired after 5 years, as well as a student who went on to earn a diploma in airline careers, a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor of Education degree with an emphasis in history. Maxine played in other musical groups, including the American Legion Band, as well as being our bassonist for many years. We will miss her expertise, her laughter, and her love. The band is dedicating the beautiful piece "Panis Angelicus" in memory of our sweet and talented friend.

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This page last updated on March 1, 2010