While attending a play at the Amana Colonies’ Old Creamery Theatre on November 29th, Mayflower resident Jeanette Tisdale was greeted three different times with, “Hello, Miss Tisdale.” All three people were one-time students of this retired vocal music teacher and high school ensembles accompanist.
Jeanette started teaching music fresh from the University of Northern Iowa at age 20½ at Elkader High School in 1953. Ironically, one of her students was 17-year old Lyle Kuehl, now also a Mayflower resident. Both say the experience was mutually beneficial.
In 1956, Jeanette moved to Grinnell to take a vocal music teaching and accompanist position in the Grinnell-Newburg School District. She retired from teaching in 1991. Since moving to a Mayflower apartment in 2005, Jeanette has volunteered significant time caring for a Health Center resident, leading vocal and bell choirs at Mayflower, providing weekend piano entertainment for residents, and leading her church vocal and bell choirs. In addition to serving on a number of Mayflower Residents Association committees, in 2010 Jeanette served as president of the association. In 2008, she was named “Outstanding Volunteer” by the Iowa Association of Activity Professionals.
Do you know “Miss Tisdale?!”
— Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director
