Since the age of 4, Jean Wheeler has brought her violin along with her through each step of her life — starting with private lessons from a strict instructor to playing with the local Pacific Northwest Chamber Orchestra (PNCO). Now, 85 years later, she has decided to pass her $25,000 violin along to the next generation of musicians by donating it to Centralia College.

Wheeler and her husband, Robert, who have been married for 66 years, currently live in Napavine. They have lived in several towns across the Pacific Northwest and Wheeler would always find the local orchestra. Aside from music, she also worked as a kindergarten teacher for 48 years.

“Everywhere we went, there was an orchestra that needed a violin. In some of the small towns, I was the only violin around, so it was easy for me to find opportunities to play,” she said.

Wheeler most recently played with the Pacific Northwest Chamber Orchestra — her last show was the winter concert in 2019. She said with COVID-19 halting practices and concerts and arthritis in her hands making playing more difficult, she decided it was time for her to pass along her well-loved instrument.

“Music is a wonderful hobby. You meet the most wonderful people. In the PNCO, some of the people are extremely talented,” she said.♣

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