IRENE (DeVIEW) TROY

Irene DeView Troy 07/11/1914 ~ 01/31/2010 OCEANSIDE -- Irene DeView was born in New Castle, Indiana. Her family relocated to South Bend, Indiana where she graduated from Central High. While in high school, she excelled and was prominent in the drama and music programs. She went on to graduate from the Columbia School of Music in Chicago and was soon the practicing pianist with the Chicago Symphony. She was also the concert pianist with the South Bend Orchestra.

In 1945, she moved to Los Angeles where she obtained employment as the piano instructor at the prestigious Marlborough School. She was also the organist and choir director at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. It was in Los Angeles that Irene met and married Paul Troy. In 1952, she moved with Paul and their two children to Oceanside where she became the organist and choir director at the First Methodist Church while Paul took up a teaching position at Oceanside High School. In 1957, she initiated, organized, and conducted the first Tri-City presentation of Handel's Messiah which included a full orchestra and 60 voice choir. It became an an annual event and a well loved tradition.

Irene was an elementary school teacher for 18 years in Fallbrook, but she'll be remembered for her contribution to the musical vibrancy of the area. Never content with repetition, she researched and mined material, bringing unfamiliar works of profound beauty for her choir to perform. She was a masterful musician of power and refinement not to mention a loving wife and doting mother. She had a contagious laugh. She is greatly missed.

She leaves her husband, Paul Troy; her children, Alice and John Troy; her grandchildren, Stephanie McKinley, Scott Malloy, Kristin Blum, William and James Troy, and her great-grandchildren, Miles and Phoebe Irene McKinley; and nieces, Bethney, Mary, and Yvette DeView.

Memorial service: Saturday, February 20 1p.m., at North Coast United Methodist Church 1501 Kelly Street Oceanside, Calif. 760-439-4099 Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com

Published by North County Times on Feb. 7, 2010.

03/07/2023 EJS