Obituary of Jane H. Günter-McCoy

Pittsford - Jane Hutton Günter-McCoy, 83, passed away October 20, 2021, in the loving and devoted presence of longtime friends following a courageous battle with cancer. The younger of two daughters, she was born February 9, 1938, in Kingston, NY, to Herman Günter and Elizabeth Mason Hutton Günter. Mrs. Günter-McCoy had a long and accomplished career in music, beginning in the Kingston, NY, public schools with her elementary school study of violin and piano followed by earning degrees from The Eastman School of Music (where she majored in both violin and voice performance) and doctoral studies in music history at Indiana University. She studied voice performance and coaching with a number of notable performers and teachers including Birgit Nilsson and Madame Dorothee Manski. A widely sought-after professional choral performer, Mrs. Günter-McCoy sang under the direction of and recorded with a long list of conductors including Leopold Stokowski of the Symphony of the Air (formerly the NBC Symphony Orchestra) and Robert Shaw of the famed Robert Shaw Chorale, the latter with whom she toured the United States, South America, and the USSR (now, Russia). A favorite memory from the latter was performing in Moscow and looking up from the stage and seeing Nikita Khrushchev seated in his privileged reserved section. During the 25 years that Mrs. Günter-McCoy lived in New York City and later in Pittsford she often was employed by churches as a vocal and violin soloist, in addition to a busy schedule of secular solo and ensemble opportunities. In addition to her music scholarship and performance, Mrs. Günter-McCoy leaves a monumental legacy of accomplished singers reflecting her great passion for pedagogy, one of her most cherished and lasting endeavors. Over many years scores of voice students benefited from her teaching skills and dedication, first at Eastman Community Music School and later in her private studio. As much as Mrs. Günter-McCoy disliked ‘show tunes,’ her students in musicals all over the Rochester area benefited greatly from seeing her pride-filled face in the audience. She attended as many of her students’ performances, all over the country and world, as she could. World travel for Mrs. Günter-McCoy included not only musically enhancing ventures to attend operas and her favorite Bach festivals in Europe but challenging outings in Japan, Africa, South America (i.e. Machu Picchu), Antarctica, the Arctic (to see Polar Bears)...to list just a bit of her exploration of the world. She was truly a friend always ready to embrace and experience new adventures. A more interesting, intelligent, generous friend could not be found! She peppered the lives around her with a gift for quick puns and was a master of crossword puzzles.With great affection she named all of nature’s creatures who were showered with hearty and never-failing fare on her patio and in her wooded yard. A more knowledgeable and loyal sports fan has never existed!!! Jane Günter-McCoy loved her New York sports teams and watched every game, every inning, every quarter. She taught herself to play tennis by watching it on television and until the last few years she often persuaded reluctant friends to play both tennis and softball with her...and she always won. On September 9, 1978, Jane Hutton Günter married the love of her life, Seth McCoy, in a private ceremony at Riverside Church in New York City. The two met on the Robert Shaw South American Tour. Mr. McCoy became a renowned oratorio tenor and their shared life, until his death, was to Mrs. Günter-McCoy a source of joy beyond measure. One of Mrs. Gunter-McCoy’s most coveted professional honors was performing as the mezzo-soprano soloist May 3, 1998, in Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, a concert in memory and in honor of Mr. McCoy as Eastman’s beloved Professor of Voice (1982-1997), conducted by Robert Shaw, and presented with the New Eastman Symphony, the Eastman-Rochester Chorus, and the Eastman Chorale in the Eastman Theater. Mrs. Günter-McCoy was predeceased by her husband and her parents and by her sister, Joan Elizabeth Günter Cahill. She is survived by her niece, Barbara Samuels and her partner, Paul Golding, of Duanesburg, NY, her nephew, Harry Gochee III and his wife, Ann, of Delmar, NY, and two grandnephews, Harry Gochee IV and Benjamin Gochee. Although they never had children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. McCoy each welcomed young people into their home, which was always filled with laughter, delicious food, and the very best music. Because of the Covid-19 Pandemic, a private graveside service was held. For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, donations may be made to the World Wildlife Fund or the Ocean Conservancy or to a charity of the donor's choice.