Mrs. Anna Katharine Eaton Steckman, 90, of Salamanca, NY died late Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at the Absolut Care of Salamanca.
Born March 5, 1927 in Salamanca, NY, she was the daughter of the late Albert Roy and Katharine Emma Thornton Taylor Eaton. She was married on August 23, 1951 to Mr. Frederick William “Bill” Steckman, who survives.
Mrs. Steckman lived on Broad Street in Salamanca all of her life: first, above her father’s general store; second, moving with her family in 1940 to a house down the street, where her father built a studio for her to teach piano; and lastly with her husband, Bill. She was a graduate of Salamanca High School Class of 1944, attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and graduated from the Boston Conservatory in Boston, MA on June 4, 1948. She also graduated from the Dunning System of Improved Music Study Teacher’s Training Course in Bellefontaine, OH in August 1948.
She taught piano privately for 34 years, retiring in 1982, and was a pianist for the Salamanca Christian Science Church for 38 years, starting in high school. She began teaching with no experience, and learned quickly using the Dunning System of Improved Music Study, gaining many students along the way. She held lessons varying from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. every day except Sunday, and was very proud of her work.
She was a member of the former Salamanca Euterpean Club, and would host a program in her home once a year. She was also a member of the United Methodist Congregational Church of Salamanca.
Mrs. Steckman enjoyed traveling, music, reading, and gardening, and had very fond memories of their talking dog, Jay Gee.
Surviving besides her husband are: a sister-in-law, Dora Grainge; a niece, Dianna (Ron) Stelley; a nephew, William (Debra) Grainge, all of Gowanda, NY; several cousins.
She was predeceased by a sister, Rosina May Taylor.
Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Monday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at which time funeral services will be held with Rev. Michael Lonto, pastor of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, officiating.