Core Purpose: To enhance and protect the benefits of retired educators.
		A remarkable lady who served her community with outstanding creativity,warm compassion, con- tagious enthusiasm and sparkling humor. A tireless educator who was 99 in August. That is Lily Greer. We are proud that she is one of our members.          Lily's professional career was dedicated to furthering music education. After receiving her masters degree in music education at the University of Southern California, she taught music for several years in Los Angeles County Schools. For the next decade she supervised music education in Tulare County. In 1953 she was hired as a music consultant for the Sonoma County Office of Education. During her 22 years in that position, she traveled throughout the unincorporated area assisting teachers in the art of instilling thousands of children with musical skills and appreciation. Each summer during her final 8 years at the County Office she organized and hosted the 1000 Voice Concert by the Elementary Children at the Fair Grounds. In 1969 at the age of 65 she retired.          In her 1997 PD article Diane Peterson gave the following quote from the music educator.          "I believe in a two-prong program, both in- strumental and choral. In addition, every single child should be given an opportunity to get acquainted with music through the classroom."          Her pace did not slacken with retirement. She was the Choir Director for 21 years in the Faith Lutheran Church. For years she was active in the church's book club and lead Bible studies. Because of her many contributions, the church named a renovated vestry room after her - The Lily Greer Reading and Conference Room.          The Faith Luthern Church was not alone in benefiting from Lily's services after retirement.				She was very active in the Santa Rosa Community Concert Association, Saturday Afternoon Club, the American Association of University Women's club, the Phi Sigma Alpha Social Sorority, and the Soropotimist International of America, which nominated her for the Woman of Distinction award in 1995.          From the time of her retirement, she has been an active participating member in our Sonoma County Retired Teachers Association and CRTA. From 1970 -1974, she was the Music Chair for our Luncheon Meetings. She served as President from 1974-76 and as the Executive Board Parliamen- tarian for the next 20 years . In 1996 she resigned from the Board after 26 years of continuous service.          In recognition of her outstanding contributions as an educator, community volunteer and participant in the Sonoma County Retired Teachers (CRTA) , we are pleased to honor Lily Greer at our Tuesday, December 2, Luncheon and General Meeting, as the first featured member to receive our Distinguished Service Award and to appear on our web site.
	Area I,CRTA    Sonoma County   Web Master, Bill Ruehmann  Email    Updated: Dec. 1, 2003