Barbara Olive Trauffer

Died peacefully on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at St Martins in the Pines after a brief illness. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, June 24, at Ridout's Valley Chapel. Visitation at 10:00. Funeral at 11:00, followed by fellowship in the parlor. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.

Barbara was born to Walter Elmer Trauffer and Emma Marie Siegel Trauffer on November 14, 1934 in Evanston, Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Music Degree from the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University in 1957 and her Masters Degree from Duquesne University in 1975. Her professional symphonic career with flute and piccolo began with the Calgary Alberta Canada Philarmonic. She later joined the Youngstown Ohio Symphony before eventually settling in Birmingham to preform with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra from 1965 to 1993. In addition, she participated in summer tours with the New York State Symphony and she played in the Shenandoah Valley Music Festivals.

Ms Trauffer was also an accomplished soprano. She sang in the choir and was a soloist in the First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham as well as in other churches in the United States and in Canada. She performed in the UAB Festival Theater's production of Beggars' Opera and participated in a number of recitals and concerts throughout Alabama where she either sang or played flute.

Barbara was a flute instructor at the Alabama School of Fine Arts for 13 years, and at Samford University for one year. She also had a number of private students.

Barbara's interests were extremely varied. She had been President of the Birmingham Doll Club and she had been a member of AAUW where she participated in the Tuesday Evening Book Club discussions. In the past, she had been employed as a newspaper reporter and she had worked as an analytical chemist at the Serle Pharmaceutical Company. Her deep interest in science and wildlife persisted throughout her life. She had been an avid skier prior to coming to Alabama. She especially enjoyed travel. She visited the Galapagos Islands and Peru where she saw the Inca and other Pr-Colombian sites, including Macchu Picchu. Particularly memorable were those trips she took with her friend Wanda Cunliff – among them, a Caribbean cruise and a trip they took to the American Southwest. Prior to her final illness, she was writing a story set in England during the Middle Ages, and a musical set in New York City, based on her experiences there in the 1950's.

Barbara had many friends both in Birmingham and throughout the United States and we will all deeply miss her presence among us. Although she had no children of her own she was devoted to Patrick Cunliff, the son of her dear friend Wanda. Barbara always regarded Patrick as her nephew.

Barbara's friends wish to thank Dr Simon, the staff at St Martins in the Pines, and New Beacon Hospice for the excellent care she received during her final illness.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Barbara Trauffer's name to your favorite charity.