Sarah Jane Abbott-Kirk

Sarah Jane Abbott-Kirk, Emeritus Associate Professor of Piano at the Baylor University School of Music passed away Saturday, November 9, 2024.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 23, at the First Presbyterian Church in Waco, with Reverend Leslie King officiating. The graveside service will take place beforehand to begin at 12:00 noon at Oakwood Cemetery. On the day preceding the service, visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Friday, November 22, in the Foundation Parlor at First Presbyterian Church.

Jane Abbott-Kirk was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, to James Charles Abbott and Helen Ruby Harrell Abbott. While a young girl, she discovered her love and talent for music. She graduated from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio. As a talented young piano prodigy and a student of Robert Floyd, she performed with the San Antonio and Houston Symphonies before graduating from high school. She continued her piano studies with Sydney Foster at Indiana University where she received a B.M., M.M., and the coveted Performer's Certificate, the highest honor awarded by the music faculty for artistry in performing.

Then her journey began as a professional musician, a dedicated performer, and devoted professor. She taught at the University of Kansas before beginning a career at Baylor University. During her 45 years at Baylor, she was awarded the Outstanding Tenured Teacher Award in 1989 and was named the Collegiate Teacher of the Year by the Texas Music Teachers Association in 2004. An active performer and adjudicator throughout her career, she was also a recording artist with violinist Robert Murray for Musical Heritage Society and Raven Records. These recordings received noteworthy reviews and accolades.

Jane Abbott-Kirk was beloved by her students and university associates both as a creative and whimsical personality and as a gifted and devoted teacher. Jane inspired countless students with her kindness, wit, compassion, and commitment to the art of making music as well as her focus on student wellbeing. Her specialization in teaching pianists to build healthy playing technique allowed her to provide recovery for students who had experienced injury, and all students benefited from the way she built their confidence and challenged them to higher levels of devotion to their craft. Many of her former students hold prestigious positions at universities, conservatories, and private teaching venues in this country and abroad. Her former colleagues remember her generosity, mentorship, and support, as a role model to emulate and a person who made an indelible mark on the culture of teaching and music making at Baylor. Her legacy will live on through her former students and all who benefited from her brilliant teaching and playing.

Jane was preceded in death by her beloved husband Roger Kirk of Waco, Texas. After “courting” on a Catalina sailboat, they were married for 40 wonderful years. As a couple, they were in love with ballroom dancing and were active as teachers, competitors, and dancers on many ballroom floors in central Texas. They were also active members of First Presbyterian Church in Waco.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, James Charles Abbott and Helen Ruby Harrell Abbott; her sister, Rita Elaine Van Avery of Syracuse, NY; and her brother, James Charles Abbott, Jr., of Denver, CO.

She is survived by her brother, William Bruce Abbott of Austin, TX; as well as her nephew, David Charles Van Avery; and niece, Giulia Robin Van Avery, both of Syracuse, NY; and sister-in-law, Barbara Chandler of Talbot, TN.

In lieu of flowers, loved ones and friends may contribute a memorial donation to the Musicians’ Health and Wellness Program in the Baylor University School of Music and to First Presbyterian Church of Waco, TX.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory in Jane’s “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.