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Memorial for Capitola Dickerson
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Born in Urbana, OH on Sep. 21, 1913
Departed on Jun. 15, 2012 and resided in Summit, NJ.
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| Service: |
Saturday, Sep. 22, 2012
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| Cemetery: |
Rosedale & Rosehill Crematory
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Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.
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CAPITOLA (CAPPIE) DICKERSON
(Beloved Music Teacher, Church and Community Servant, Recipient of the Key to the City of Summit)
Miss Capitola Dickerson of Summit passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, June 15, 2012. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 587 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey.
Miss Dickerson was born on September 21, 1913 in Urbana, Ohio. After graduating from high school, she moved to Summit, New Jersey. She furthered her education at Juilliard School of Music and Columbia University in New York City.
Miss Dickerson (Cappie as she was affectionately called by many) was a faithful and dedicated member of Wallace Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Summit for 80 years and was the oldest member of the church. She was the church's historian and was the music director at the church for many years. Her strong faith in God, love, dedication and support of her church and her willingness to help wherever needed was evident in her living and giving and in her caring and sharing. Her spirit of giving, serving, teaching and encouraging touched the lives of everyone at Wallace Chapel as well as others in the community.
Miss Dickerson was greatly revered for her love of music which she shared as a piano teacher to thousands of students in public and private sessions. She introduced music to hearing impaired students at the Summit Speech School for 30 years and gave music lessons to students at St. John's Pre-School in Summit for 34 years and at the Westfield Day Care Center for 22 years. She also taught music to preschoolers in Cranford and Millburn. She served for many years as the musician for the Summit Chapter of Church Women United.
She has former students living in every state in America. Renowned professional musicians such as composer-conductor, Graeme Cowen, French horn player, Tom Varner, composer, Carolyn Schmidt, the late Lawton C. Johnson, former Minister of Music at Wallace Chapel as well as and the current Minister of Music at Wallace Chapel, Patricia A. Jackson and many others of all ages give credit to Miss Dickerson for being a source of inspiration in the development of their musical gifts and talents.
Capitola Dickerson was a champion for freedom through her continuing efforts to secure civil rights for all in Summit. Leading by example, she was one of the first African American women employed in the laboratories at Bell Labs and always encouraged women to develop and use their gifts and talents in every aspect of society. As a member of the first Sponsors Committee, she was a strong leader in the movement that led to the building of the first affordable housing in Summit.
Miss Dickerson's dedicated service to the Summit community earned her recognition and honors from many organizations including the Summit Area YMCA, Connection, United Way, Tri-City Branch of the NAACP, Chamber of Commerce, Church Women United, Soroptimist International, Links, Boy Scouts, The A.M.E. Zion Church and Wallace Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. She was a recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Keeper of the Dream" award from Summit's Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Committee and on December 6, 2011 at a meeting of the Common Council of Summit, she was given the "Key to the City" by former Mayor Jordan Glatt.
Capitola Dickerson was a quiet, effective and unselfish person who lived by the "Golden Rule." Her living example of spirituality, class, dignity, respect, compassion, commitment, learning and concern for others contributed mightily to her church and community. She used her innate gifts to inspire and bless those around her and others.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Wallace Chapel A.M.E.Zion Church in Summit, NJ, the Summit Speech School in New Providence, NJ or the Capitola Dickerson Music Enhancement Fund at the Westfield Foundation in Westfield, NJ.
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