Jeneveine M. Candler

Jeneveine Mansfied Candler, passed quietly from her earthly musical world to more glorious sounds on February 11th, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Willa Candler. Being the only child of two only children parents, she has no family to survive her, but many, many friends.

Jeneveine graduated from Grand Rapids Junior College, Calvin College, with a degree in vocal performance, and Kendall Art School. She freelanced as a commercial ad artist for Wurzburgs and Mary Jane Dows for a few years and had few other jobs until she came home to Calvin as a department secretary and administrative assistant. That was her work home and supportive environment for the rest of her work life.

Music was the joy of Jeneveine's life. While she continued to study voice, she did many solo performances as well as soloing with the Grand Rapids Opera Chorus and the Grand Symphony Chorus with whom she sang for over fifty-five years. She sang with St Mark's Episcopal choir, St Andrew's Chancel Choir, Grace Episcopal's choir, and the Serenaders, a women's trio. She sang with the Kentwood Chorale and Grace Episcopal's choir through her 91st year. As she would tell you" I you don't use it, you lose it.”

Jeneveine served on several boards. She was president of the Professional Women's Committee for the Grand Rapids Symphony and was on the Chamber Music Society Board. While serving on the Board of the St Cecilia Music Society, she managed the monthly performances for the Bach Lunch series for over ten years. While on the Board for the Girls Choral Academy, she formed a guild for the group.

If there was a way to use her talents for the enjoyment of others or to promote music, Jen did her part. She gave lectures to familiarize people with black performers, and black and women composers. In a composition, she wrote, “I think I was born thirty years too early." But if she hadn't been here when she was, we would have lost so much.

A celebration of life service will be held on March 12th at Grace Episcopal Church at the corner of Breton and Hall at 11:00 with light refreshments to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church or the Grand Rapids Symphony Endowment Fund.

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