Josephine Brummel passed away peacefully on Aug. 28, 2024 at Heritage House in Santa Barbara. She was 89 years old.
Josephine was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on Aug. 26, 1935 to Pasquale and Marian Iannelli, who cultivated a deep appreciation for creativity, music and the arts in their home and community.
Josephine began studying piano at the age of five, and music soon became a central focus of her life. She graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1957.
After marrying Kenneth Brummel (1935-2012) and living initially in the Boston and Chicago areas, she and Ken settled in Westport, Connecticut, where they raised their three children.
During this time, Josephine taught private piano lessons, served as a church organist, gave frequent public recitals, and accompanied the student performance groups at Staples High School.
During a subsequent move to Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Josephine quickly immersed herself in the local music community, teaching private piano students and supporting musical performances at the Grosse Pointe Theatre.
After her children were grown, Josephine relocated to Santa Barbara to pursue graduate studies at the UC Santa Barbara. She received her master’s degree in piano performance from UCSB in 1987, while also teaching piano and accompanying the university’s instrumental and vocal ensembles.
Until her retirement in 2015, Josephine was a class piano instructor and accompanist for the vocal groups at Santa Barbara City College.
Throughout her life Josephine shared her gifts, talents, and love of music with others through teaching and performing.
Music allowed Josephine to travel the world, as she joined Staples High School groups on a tour of Poland, the SBCC Chamber Singers on a tour of Spain, and the SBCC Choirs for tours of Australia, China, and several European cities.
Josephine performed frequently as a piano soloist, duo-piano artist, and with ensembles across the Los Angeles/Santa Barbara area, including concerts at the Santa Barbara Presidio in 1995 and at the 1996 opening of the Performing Arts Center of San Luis Obispo.
She was a past dean and member of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and served for decades as the director of music at Goleta Presbyterian Church, as well as the mid-week organist at Goleta First Church of Christ, Scientist.
Josephine devoted herself to her family and found special joy in vigorously cheering on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandson. She made sure all of her friends knew of their accomplishments.
Josephine is survived by her children Lisa (Celeste Keaton), Beth (Michael Beresik), and Peter (Carolyn); grandchildren Jennifer Miller (Brandon), Brea Collier (Dane Hoyt), Amelia Bonnell (Brendon), Owen Brummel (Katelyn Thompson), and Jack Beresik; and her great-grandson Luke Miller.
She also is survived by her brother Vincent Iannelli (Jane); as well many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.
The family will host a celebration of Josephine’s life on Oct. 12 at Goleta Presbyterian Church, with private interment in Michigan at a later date.
The family gives special thanks to the devoted caregivers and staff at Heritage House Assisted Living, who helped Josephine live out her final months with love and dignity.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Josephine’s memory be made to the Staples High School Tuition Grant program or to the Assisted Home & Hospice Foundation Home Health & Hospice Foundation.