Ellen Terzian “Bunny” Ericsson left for heaven from home in Darien surrounded by love on Saturday, May 18. She was 92.
She was born in New York on March 20, 1927. Bunny was predeceased by her loving and proud husband of almost 70 years, Walter, and by her parents, Alexander and Ellen Nekander Terzian.
Music was Bunny’s life and she touched countless lives with her gifts, talent, generosity and encouragement until the day she departed.
She taught piano in Darien since the 1950s, played the organ and piano in every Darien church for various occasions, was organist for over 50 years at Noroton Presbyterian Church, simultaneously at the Christian Science Church, Darien, preceded by the Wilton Christian Science Church.
In earlier years, Bunny blessed Zion Lutheran Church as well with thousands of services as their organist, followed by years at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Norwalk and her devoted years with Stamford’s Evangelical Congregational Church. The church organs she brought to life and the various piano venues she graced are countless.
— an obituary from Edward Lawrence Funeral Home
Bunny was the pianist/accompanist to the Darien Senior Songsters for decades as they entertained at nursing homes around Fairfield County and senior citizen events.
Bunny was the sole organist for Lawrence Funeral Home for over 60 years.
Weddings, celebrations, holiday events, concerts, charities, family and friends gatherings, and even a performance in Herald Square for Macy’s, were among her constantly full schedule, reaching into her 92nd year and days before her passing. Bunny was looking forward to playing the Radio City Music Hall organ in November of this year at 92 years young!
Her dedication to volunteering amounted to thousands of hours in various places and her gift of encouraging others was priceless.
A rare gift in a precious petite package, Bunny is and will be deeply missed by countless friends and admirers, and she leaves an un-fillable void in her family.
Bunny’s music lives on within our hearts and in her invaluable recordings.
Bunny, and late husband Walt, were true ‘townies’, Darienites who supported their town throughout their lives. They lived a life of dedication to faith, family and the flag.
She is survived, immensely loved, admired and highly respected by three generations of adoring children to whom she has been ‘their everything’ — her son, Jack; daughter Sandra; grandson, Nolan; and great-granddaughters, Alexandra and Anna, all of Connecticut,; along with Bella and Lily, her devoted and constant canine companions.
Bunny is also survived and deeply loved by her cherished sister, Anne T. Sloan of Los Angeles; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.
A special music-filled celebration of Bunny’s extraordinary life will be held at twelve noon on Monday, June 17, 2019 in the sanctuary of the Noroton Presbyterian Church, Darien.