Shirley Frederic, Retired Violinist and World Traveler, Dies

Shirley Frederic, a retired violinist who grew up in Huntington Station and who traveled the world, died Nov. 10. She was 89 years old.

A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday in San Antonio, where she performed with  the San Antonio Symphony for 46 years. She retired in 1993 after serving as first chair of the second violins section.

She took to the violin as a child after receiving a toy instrument and parlayed that interest into a career. 

The Huntington school district said, "She graduated from Huntington High School on Tuesday, June 24, 1941 at 8:15 p.m. in the auditorium, HHS’s 80th annual commencement. Shirley Mildred Friedman (her maiden name) performed Czardas, a violin solo. She was accompanied by Mrs. Anna K. Morton. Valedictorian Jeanne Marie Bjornstad followed with an address. Principal Robert L. Simpson presented the class prizes (awards) and Superintendent Raymond C. Burdick presented the class members (announced the names.) Diplomas were presented by BOE President Dr. Russell W. Sammis."

After graduation, she responded to an ad for USO musicians and was sent to perform with other musicians for troops in North Africa.

 Her USO group moved across the northern Sahara including stops in Algiers, and Benghazi, eventually arriving in Cairo, Egypt, where she developed a lifelong interest in Egyptian antiquities.

After returning to the United States, she played first with an orchestra in Raleigh, N.C., and then moved to the San Antonio Symphony where she spent the rest of her career. She also performed with the Santa Fe opera company and the Jackson, Wyo., symphony during summer hiatuses.

Her family said she loved to travel, going to  Paris, Russia, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Italy, Ireland and Switzerland.  

She also enjoyed pottery.

She is survived by her younger sister, Audrey Goldsmith of Titusville, Fla; nephews Hal Goldsmith of San Antonio and Robert Goldsmith and wife, Merelyn of Port Orange, Fla.; great-nephews, Randy Goldsmith and wife, Michelle of Salt Lake City, Utah and James Goldsmith of San Antonio, and many wonderful friends. 

The family requests donations to the San Antonio Symphony, 130 East Travis St, Suite 550, San Antonio, Texas 78205.