By Paula Bechtold
Louise Faye LeBrun, 93, of Wilmington, formerly of Springfield Missouri, peacefully passed away Tuesday July 16, 2024. She was born in Los Angeles California on September 26, 1930. Lou worked as a computer programmer for many years, particularly in an era where women did not work in that profession. But her love in life was playing her accordion. At 7 years old, her uncle purchased her first accordion and lessons. Lou began her lessons with Anthony Galla-Rini at age 8 and she continued as his student until the age of 16. She fondly recounted riding the city bus to his home in Los Angeles, and taking her lessons on his son’s accordion.
At 12 years old she joined an LA based USO troop that traveled on weekends to military bases and hospitals in California and adjoining states. She eventually worked for the Ferraro Accordion studios. In the late 40s, the era of the Women’s Clubs, she began playing in beautiful homes where meetings convened. It was during this time that Lou learned to tap dance as well.
Lou continued to play her accordion throughout her career as a computer programmer, finishing her career while living and working for the Wal-mart Corporate offices in Bentonville, Arkansas.
After her retirement, she began in earnest to play and entertain regularly. She did this for over thirty years. Lou loved to play all genre’s of music, but her favorite genre to perform was ragtime, with Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag as one of her signature pieces.
Lou was well known for her love of singing and dancing as she performed. She loved to stand up and play. Her entertaining style was a joy to her audiences. She did this, even as recently as 2019 for a lunch program at the ATG in Denver.
Lou became acquainted with Joan Sommers, and had playing in Joan’s orchestra on her “bucket list”. She took the opportunity to join the UMKC orchestra as they prepared to celebrate Joan’s 50th Anniversary Concert at UMKC in May, 2011. She and her best friend and duet partner, Sharon Fox, made several trips that year from Springfield, Mo. to practice with the orchestra for that concert. Lou also enjoyed playing several times in festival orchestras under Joan’s direction both in Las Vegas and at the ATG.
She was truly a shining star to all who knew her. A highlight of her career was appearing as a guest in 2018 on “The Mystery Hour” in Springfield Missouri. In 2020 she was honored as an inductee into the American Accordion Hall of Fame of the Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists (FAMSPA). She was featured as a cover page guest artist on the April 2021 special edition of “Accordion Stars Illustrated” magazine.
She is survived by her daughter Penny of Wilmington (Jerome), son Jeffrey of Ocala, Florida (Patti) and son Jeffrey of Columbus, Ohio. She is also survived by her many accordion friends from all over the country.
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