Subheading
by Mya Dundzila
Mya Dundzila
East Regional Membership Coordinator
I recently attended the funeral service of one of my previous handbell directors, Eddie Asten of the Ft. Myer Chapel Ringers based in Arlington, Virginia. As part of Eddie’s funeral service, several ringers from Ft Myer traveled to be part of the music. Eddie and the Ft. Myer Chapel Ringers were a large part of my life while living in the Washington, DC, area for over 20 years. I felt very honored to be a part of his service.
There are many options to celebrate the life of a deceased handbell musician. Including bells in a memorial or celebration service is a wonderfully appropriate way to honor and recognize the role that handbells played in the individual’s life.
Twenty-five years ago, the Ft. Myer group lost one of its founding members to cancer. We commissioned the piece “Reflections,” by Karen Buckwalter in Kay’s memory. The group rang this piece at many concerts, church services, and Area festivals. Every time we performed “Reflections”, the Chapel Ringers remembered Kay’s dedication to the group. Commissioning a piece in memory of a ringer is another excellent tribute.
Many of you may have seen the death announcement of Lynne Marks in a May 2026 “This Week at Handbell Musicians of America” email. Prior to her death, Lynne had established the Education Fund. This fund was established as a challenge to other HMA members to contribute and support handbells in education and HMA educational events. After Lynne’s death, HMA renamed the fund ‘The Lynne G. Marks Education Fund’ in her honor and will allocate any contributions received in her memory to this account. Creating a scholarship or charitable fund is another way to honor the legacy of a deceased ringer.
Within my current group, the Penobscot Bay Ringers, one of the founding members recently experienced the death of her spouse. He was a huge PBR supporter and roadie. In his memory, a 2-octave set of handbells was purchased to be loaned out to schools and churches in the area. Investing in instruments or equipment makes a lasting legacy for honoring the loss of a valued supporter.
Not every group may have the resources to create a scholarship fund or purchase additional instruments. What can individuals contribute to a celebration of life service? On several occasions, I created a photo collage poster to highlight the deceased ringer’s role in the group. I also spoke of the ringer’s passion for handbells and offered a handbell story as part of their eulogy. Another valuable service for the deceased is to contact as many former choir members as possible so everyone can acknowledge the loss.
In our ongoing effort to keep our HMA member database current, I occasionally receive a notification that a member has passed away. Sometimes there is an obituary link so while recognizing the loss, I can still marvel at the life description of a handbell ringer and what role handbells held in their life.
Clearly, experiencing the death of a ringer or director is very difficult for any group and every group’s response will be unique. There are many ways to honor the ringer’s contribution to the group. I’ve mentioned a few from personal experience. Most importantly, I think the act of honoring a deceased ringer, in any form, helps the entire group feel the value of every individual group member – past, present and future.
I recently attended the funeral service of one of my previous handbell directors, Eddie Asten of the Ft. Myer Chapel Ringers based in Arlington, Virginia. As part of Eddie’s funeral service, several ringers from Ft Myer traveled to be part of the music. Eddie and the Ft. Myer Chapel Ringers were a large part of my life while living in the Washington, DC, area for over 20 years. I felt very honored to be a part of his service.
There are many options to celebrate the life of a deceased handbell musician. Including bells in a memorial or celebration service is a wonderfully appropriate way to honor and recognize the role that handbells played in the individual’s life.
Twenty-five years ago, the Ft. Myer group lost one of its founding members to cancer. We commissioned the piece “Reflections,” by Karen Buckwalter in Kay’s memory. The group rang this piece at many concerts, church services, and Area festivals. Every time we performed “Reflections”, the Chapel Ringers remembered Kay’s dedication to the group. Commissioning a piece in memory of a ringer is another excellent tribute.
Many of you may have seen the death announcement of Lynne Marks in a May 2026 “This Week at Handbell Musicians of America” email. Prior to her death, Lynne had established the Education Fund. This fund was established as a challenge to other HMA members to contribute and support handbells in education and HMA educational events. After Lynne’s death, HMA renamed the fund ‘The Lynne G. Marks Education Fund’ in her honor and will allocate any contributions received in her memory to this account. Creating a scholarship or charitable fund is another way to honor the legacy of a deceased ringer.
Within my current group, the Penobscot Bay Ringers, one of the founding members recently experienced the death of her spouse. He was a huge PBR supporter and roadie. In his memory, a 2-octave set of handbells was purchased to be loaned out to schools and churches in the area. Investing in instruments or equipment makes a lasting legacy for honoring the loss of a valued supporter.
Not every group may have the resources to create a scholarship fund or purchase additional instruments. What can individuals contribute to a celebration of life service? On several occasions, I created a photo collage poster to highlight the deceased ringer’s role in the group. I also spoke of the ringer’s passion for handbells and offered a handbell story as part of their eulogy. Another valuable service for the deceased is to contact as many former choir members as possible so everyone can acknowledge the loss.
In our ongoing effort to keep our HMA member database current, I occasionally receive a notification that a member has passed away. Sometimes there is an obituary link so while recognizing the loss, I can still marvel at the life description of a handbell ringer and what role handbells held in their life.
Clearly, experiencing the death of a ringer or director is very difficult for any group and every group’s response will be unique. There are many ways to honor the ringer’s contribution to the group. I’ve mentioned a few from personal experience. Most importantly, I think the act of honoring a deceased ringer, in any form, helps the entire group feel the value of every individual group member – past, present and future.
Mya Dundzila
East Regional Membership Coordinator
