Plymouth, VT-

Mildred Ruth Reiner, 83, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2015, at home following a brief illness.

She was born May 20, 1931 in Baltimore, MD, a daughter of Frederick W. and Emma E. Bailone Reiner. Mildred graduated from Eastern High School (class of 1949), earned a Bachelor of Music Education from The Peabody Conservatory of Music, and went on to earn a Master of Music Education from Penn State University. She started teaching instrumental music in 1953 at Catonsville, Westchester and Relay Elementary Schools, moving on to Parkville Junior High School, then Perry Hall Senior High School. She later became Supervisor of Instrumental Music for Baltimore County Public Schools and eventually, Coordinator of Music. As a music educator and administrator for Baltimore County Public Schools, she initiated programs to enhance the development and performance opportunities for students including, All County Band, All County Orchestra, Marching Band Showcase, Side by Side Concert with the Baltimore Symphony Gifted and Talented High School Program, and the Solo and Ensemble Festivals. These programs have touched the lives of decades of students and their families. As these programs continue today, they serve as an important part of her professional legacy. She retired in 1993 after thirty-nine years of dedicated service in music education and advocacy for students and teachers.

Mildred and was an active member and leader of many professional and community organizations throughout her life. Her professional affiliations included: Maryland Band Directors Association (President, 1969-1971), Women Band Directors National Association (State Chairman 1974-1988, Vice President 1976-1978), National Band Directors Association (State Chairman 1969-1978), Peabody Conservatory of Music Advisory Council for Music Education and Alumni Steering Committee, Maryland Music Educators Association (various committees). She performed as a member of the Queens of Rhythm dance band, Peabody Wind Ensemble and Chorus, Penn State University Concert Band and Chorus, and the Middle River Concert Band. She directed the church choir at
First German ME Church in Baltimore City, and until recently, she was a member of the St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Bowleys Quarters, where she was a member of the choir. She was also a very active member of the Bowleys Quarters Community Association. Locally, she was an active volunteer at Zack's Place in Woodstock, VT.

Mildred received many awards and honors, including Teacher of the Year in 1966, Citation of Excellence from National Band Directors Association in 1975, Silver Baton Award from Women Band Directors National Association in 1979, Music Hall of Fame for Maryland Music Educators Association in 1991, and the Citation for the Peabody Alumni Achievement Award Recognizing Outstanding Contributions to Music in Maryland in 2002.

She is predeceased by a sister, Ellen E. Reiner, two brothers, Charles P. Reiner and Frederick W. Reiner Jr.

She is survived by her loving brother, Raymond M. Reiner and his wife Vera Reiner; her nieces and nephews Katherine Reiner Martin and husband Frank Martin, Steven G. Reiner, Ruth E. Reiner Brisson and husband Vincent Brisson; great nieces and nephews Pamela J. Martin Popiolkowski and her husband Joseph Popiolkowski, Andrew J. Brisson, Olivia M.C. Brisson, and Brian M. Martin; and great grandniece Evelyn Mae Popiolkowski.

Mildred was dedicated to her family. She cared for her parents, her sister, her eldest brother and sister-in-law until their deaths, and she remained a faithful and loving sister, aunt and cousin to her remaining family members. In her retirement years, she served as a caregiver for her great-niece, Olivia and her great nephew, Andrew, who has special needs. Her commitment to ensuring a brighter future for Andrew and his family led her to move with them to the town of Plymouth, VT in the summer of 2014. Soon thereafter, she began to participate with him at Zack's Place, a community enrichment center for those with special needs located in Woodstock, VT, and her time there was filled with joy, inspiration, and hope.

Memorial services will take place on April 25th at 11AM at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Bowleys Quarters, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, to continue Mildred's legacy of music, memorial donations in her memory can be made to The Peabody Institute, 1 East Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, to fund K-12 music students at the Preparatory