Reflections Magazine Issue #54 - Fall 2000 | Page 30

30

Alumna provides SHU’s largest bequest
music teacher who lived quietly and
supported her alma mater modestly
during her lifetime has made the largest
bequest ever received by Siena Heights
University.

Barbara Wojtyszewski ‘47 majored in
music at Siena Heights and was “a
wonderful pianist” who spent hours practicing in Walsh
Hall (now Sage Union). “She was the star performer of
many Siena Heights concerts,” according to Rosemarie
Van d’Elden Birman ’47, Barbara’s college roommate
and a lifetime friend.
Born in Hamtramck, Barbara returned to the Detroit area
to teach music, eventually settling in New Baltimore.
Through the years, she contributed to her alma mater
with gifts of $25, $50 or $100.
Last November 17, six days before her 74th birthday,
Barbara Wojtyszewski died after a battle with cancer.
In her will, she named Siena Heights the primary beneficiary of her retirement plan.
Several months later, University officials were stunned
to learn the value of the gift: $777,678. Barbara’s contribution is the largest bequest in Siena Heights history.
“Philanthropy of this magnitude is overwhelming,”
University President Rick Artman said. “We are grateful beyond words. And we are equally saddened that
we had no oppo