Lori Fedor tribute to go on, despite her death

By Wendy Bynum-Wade
GOSHEN — The June 8 music fest to support Goshen High School music teacher Lori Fedor in her battle against brain cancer will go on as planned, despite her death last Thursday.

It will still be a fundraiser for Lori’s family — her husband, Joe, and boys, Nathaniel, 6, and Caleb, 9 months. It will also be a celebration of Lori’s life, a chance for all who knew her to come together to share their memories, tell their stories, sing in her honor, and turn personal grief into a show of support for her family.

Lori Horaz Fedor was an extraordinary educator. She was so passionate about her subject that students who had never thought they’d like chorus or vocal music joined her ranks and before long mirrored her passion. Even after being on the job for 16 years, she still had a rapport with her students as if she was only a few years ahead of them, much like a big sister or older cousin confidante. Status after status posted on Lori’s Facebook page this weekend came from former students of the mid-late 90s and throughout the past decade. Each of them recalled memories of how safe they felt in Ms. Fedor’s classroom, and how she had instilled in them a sense of confidence and higher self-esteem that propelled them to take on new challenges and take bigger risks, in high school and beyond.

Lori also continued the legacy of excellent Broadway-style productions at Goshen High School, and carrying it to new heights of excellence throughout her tenure. While other schools found it difficult to sustain interest in their music programs, Lori and her music colleagues continually beat the bushes to find new (and unsuspecting) vocalists to join the various choral groups. With more than 10 percent of the student body involved in a choral group, she was on the right track. The GHS Music Department is one that deserves the pride and respect of our entire community, as evidenced at standing-room-only concerts at winter and spring performances.

All of us have had a Lori Horaz Fedor in our lives. The teachers who believed in us when we didn’t believe in ourselves. The teacher who believed in what we could become, before we’d even dreamed it. And the teachers who helped us shape our dreams and put us on the path to make them a reality. If you went to Goshen High — or your children did — between 1996 and 2012, then Lori was at least one of those teachers for you.

Attend the June 8 Music Fest at Goshen High School from 4 to 11 p.m. to help her family eliminate the medical bills from the past year and provide a nest egg for the boys’ futures. If you cannot attend, send your donation payable to the Goshen Teacher’s Association (memo line for Lori Fedor fund) and mail to:

Celebration of Music
c/o Goshen High School

222 Scotchtown Ave.
Goshen NY 10924

Editor's note: Please see Lori Fedor's obituary on page 22.