Cornelia Irene Rutgers Tolles

Greenwich, Connecticut, on March 6, 2024, following a long, brave battle with cancer - her

daughter, and caregivers by her side. Corinne is survived by her husband, James, sister,

Alma Rutgers, son, Paul, daughter, Mary, four grandchildren, nephew, and numerous

cousins.

Born in New York City on January 26, 1945, to Katharine Phillips Rutgers and Dr. Frederik

Lodewijk Rutgers, Corinne’s family settled in Greenwich in 1947. Corinne was confirmed at

the Round Hill Community Church in 1957, graduated from the Greenwich Academy in 1962

and attended Briarcliff College, graduating with an Associate’s music degree in 1964. She

then enrolled at Columbia University and in 1965 moved to Europe to continue her music

studies in Paris and at the University of London. During this time Corinne was briefly married

and gave birth to her son Paul Adam in June of 1966.

In 1970, Corinne returned with her son to Greenwich, and enrolled at New York City’s

Julliard School of Music to concentrate on the piano. Corinne went on to become an

accomplished pianist and singer, performing well into her fifties, for many artistic, religious,

and charitable organizations including with the Duo Pianists of the Shubert Club, the

Silvermine School of Music, the Dole Contemporary Arts Club of Fairfield County, the

Greenwich Travel Club, where she served as President, and with the North Greenwich

Congregational Church choir.

In 1975, Corinne married James Faulkner Tolles of New York City, and in 1978 gave birth to

their daughter, Mary Evelyn. During the 1980’s she continued her music studies, publishing

her thesis on Charles Ives and in 1989 graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Suny

Purchase, the same year that her son Paul graduated from Syracuse University. Corinne

loved the arts and all things nature - dance, theater, gardening, bird watching, cats & dogs,

reading, attending lectures – to name a few. She was also very patriotic and a lifelong

member of the Mary Washington Colonial Chapter D.A.R. in New York City.

Corinne was an accomplished equestrian, starting early in life at the Round Hill Stables,

training under local riding legend Teddy Wahl, and competing successfully in hunter jumper

shows. During her life Corinne would own four horses and was a lifelong member and

supporter of the Greenwich Riding & Trails Association (GRTA), enjoying pleasure and trail

riding later in life. She then became the inspiration for her daughter Mary, who built, and

currently runs Labyrinth Horse Farm in Mill Spring, North Carolina, where Corinne spent

many summers during her later years.

A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, Corinne was also extremely generous,

providing for her children and grandchildren and donating to dozens of charities during her

lifetime. In 2013, she fell ill with a blood infection from which she never fully recovered.

Unable to play the piano or ride a horse, Corinne devoted her remaining years to the most

important things in her life - her two children, four grandchildren, and God. She especially

enjoyed visiting her son’s family in Miami Beach, Florida, and her daughter’s family in North

Carolina. Having faced and survived many challenges during her life, it was her unwavering

faith in God that carried and uplifted her through the tough times. Corinne was often heard

to say, “Jesus is my everything.”

Corinne will be remembered as a talented musician, an enthusiastic advocate for the arts,

a friend to nature; for her intellect and devotion to family; but most of all for her truthful

kindness, compassion, and grace. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Anyone who knew Corinne and would like to honor her memory is welcome to attend any,

or all, of the following services in remembrance of an extraordinary life.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family suggests a donation to the Schubert Club of Fairfield

County in the name of Corinne Tolles, using the following link:

https://donate.stripe.com/7sI8zqgg01sRgX69AA