My first introduction to VeeRonna Ragone was by word of mouth.  My mother called me one night, from Arizona.  She was very excited.  She tried to tell me a story, but because of a stroke she had suffered several years ago, the more excited she became, the more difficulty she had expressing herself.  Her private caregiver, Adrienne, finally took the phone and told me what had happened.

That afternoon when Adrienne and my mother returned to mom's assisted living residence, at the Heritage Legacy in Sun City West, AZ, after a long and frustrating day filled with doctor's appointments and bad news, they heard harp music in the lobby. They were surprised and transfixed -- both of them -- mom in her wheel chair and Adrienne leaning on the wheel chair for support.  I don't know how long they stayed and listened, their accounts varied somewhat, but they both experienced the same sublime transformation, They couldn't say enough about the harpist and how her playing had both thrilled and calmed them.  I thought perhaps they had witnessed a magic act instead of a concert, but I couldn't argue with their sincerity.

During the next three weeks "the harpist" came up in conversation numerous times.  These weeks were a big deal for my mother, and all of us who knew and loved her, for they were her last.  

Several days after the harpist delighted the residents at the Legacy, my mother was placed in a hospice program.  We chose The Hospice of the Valley.  It was the right choice for many reasons, but the one that gave me chills, and always will, was that the Chaplain assigned to my mother, Andy Ragone, just happened to be “the harpist's” husband. 

My mother, Helen Easterbrook, spent her adult life married to my father, Carl; a music teacher, composer and arranger who had a glorious tenor voice.  Mom was a true contralto, herself, and together they sang with numerous choirs, several world famous symphonies and toured Europe and South America with The Arizona Masterworks Chorale.  They even sang at Carnegie Hall in New York City.  My mother always felt that music was her first love, although she fancied herself a bit of a critic, as well. Believe it or not, Chaplain Andy Ragone turned out to be a singer and garnered high praise from my mother, but it was his wife who stole her heart.

I deeply appreciate all of the music that seemed to surround my mother as she was passing.  I have a music degree, too, and began my career in the entertainment industry as an opera singer. As you may have guessed, music is as crucial as air to my family.

The day after mom died -- she literally breathed her last breath during the lyric "Sleep in Heavenly Peace," from the Christmas carol "Silent Night," as it was being sung, directly outside her door at the Legacy, by a children's caroling choir from The First Baptist Church -- Andy called me to see if I was all right. During the course of our conversation, he mentioned that he could perform her service.  As soon as I heard that, I asked him if his wife could play.  He said "yes," then she said "yes" and the rest is history.  My mother got to hear VeeRonna play again, and this time, it was just for her.

As an addendum, I must add that I was just as transported and moved by VeeRonna as Adrienne and mom were on the day they first heard her. She played a medley of Christmas music at the beginning of the service, she accompanied Andy as he sang my mother's favorite song, "O Little Town of Bethlehem," she played Debussey's "Clair De Lune" as a special solo, she accompanied the hymns and then played a terrific medley of secular oldies from my mother's youth as we all filed out of the memorial.

VeeRonna is a terrific team player and we kept her busy, but it is as a soloist that she truly touches your heart.  

I thought I had heard it all, but VeeRonna gives new meaning to the word brilliant.  She is technically perfect, thus allowing her artistry and spirit to manifest. That is what is so transporting.  I do believe that my mother left this earth on the wings of Angels -- and accompanied by the sounds of them, as well.

Leslie Easterbrook