Eileen Dass

ROCHESTER - Eileen Donna Maria (Nesbitt) Dass, 70, passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, Nov 3, 2009, at her home in Rochester. Eileen was born Feb. 20, 1939, in Denver, N.Y., to Frederick and Lillian Nesbitt. She was raised by her beloved grandparents, Leon and Bertha Kittle in Denver and Roxbury, N.Y.She graduated from Roxbury Central High School in 1956, where she was a cheerleader, loved softball, dancing and was an avid gymnast and played clarinet for the high school band. She graduated with honors from Ulster County Community College in music and had a life-long love of music. Her favorite music was Piano concerto 21 by Mozart. After her five children were grown, she divorced and moved to New Jersey in 1981, where as a music teacher she taught piano, organ, clarinet, flute and saxophone in her home to students of all ages. She had a natural talent for teaching and bringing out the best in her students. She was so much in demand that she had a waiting list of students who wanted to have her as their teacher. In 1987, she married Vasant Dass and moved with him to Silver Lake, N.H., in June 1994. She played clarinet for the Mount Washington Valley Band and sang for the Mount Washington Choral Society. She moved to Rochester in 1996 and sang in the choir at First United Methodist Church and the Granite State Choral society until her numerous health problems disabled her. She ended her teaching career in 1999. Complications from an auto accident when a tractor-trailer ran over her car in 1960 worsened with age leaving her to cope with debilitating fibromyalgia and related chronic conditions. She bravely and stubbornly battled her afflictions with her faith and remained cheerful and loving to her husband and all who knew her. She left the world a better place and touched many lives profoundly. She is survived by her beloved husband, Vasant; sons, Stephen Jenkins of Eureka, Calif., Paul and Randy Jenkins and daughters, Lisa Jenkins and Shelley Prior, all of upstate New York; brothers, Lawrence and Frederick "Ted" Nesbitt; grandchildren Ian, Alex, PJ, Stephen, Ryan, as well as a niece and nephews and grandnieces. Her family includes brother-in-law, Harry Melvani and his wife, Kalliope and Nicholas, Dina, Nikiforos and Alex of Athens, Greece. Her beloved worldwide family includes Lachman and Sushila Melvani of Pondicherry, India, Kamla, Sahib, Ravi, Kamini and Nakuul Shahani of Mumbai, India, Lila Hathiramani, Kumari, Chandru, Nishia, Shaila and Sheriza Wadhwani of Hong Kong; Padam, Vijay, Simran, Honey and Kavita Khiani of Louisville, Ky. She will be deeply missed by her entire family. Eileen was predeceased by her siblings, Rodney and Sandra Nesbitt, and grandson, Morgan Long. Calling hours will be held on Friday, Nov. 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Edgerly Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., Rochester. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 34 South Main St., Rochester.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Music Ministry at First United Methodist Church, Rochester, N.H. or contributions may be sent to National CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome), 103 Aretha Road, Needham, MA 02492-3931.Visit the online guest book at www.fosters.com/obits