Carol Van Hoesen, age 91, of Pittsburgh, PA passed away August 10, 2021 in Oakmont, PA at Longwood at Oakmont.

Memorial information will be announced by the family.

Carol was born November 8, 1929 in Baton Rouge, LA to Bradford and Bessie Morse. She attended high school in Los Angeles and graduated in 1946. She went on to earn a degree in cello performance in 1950 from the Eastman School of Music studying with Luigi Silva and Gabor Rejto. Carol also studied cello with Alan Harris and Robert Frazier. She married the love of her life, K. David Van Hoesen, bassoonist, on graduation day from the Eastman School of Music in 1950. She followed her husband to Cleveland post graduation for his first jobs in the Cleveland Orchestra and  Oberlin Conservatory and later came back to Rochester when David accepted the position of Professor of Bassoon at the Eastman School of Music and Principal Bassoon of the Rochester Philharmonic.  Carol and David lived a happy musical life and spent idyllic summers in Lake Placid, NY, where they enjoyed their cabin, their dogs and the many wonderful friends and musical  colleagues of the Lake Placid Sinfonietta.

Carol taught privately in Rochester, NY for thirty years (Indian Landing School, Monroe High School, Brighton Schools and at home) and was cellist in the University of Rochester Orchestra from 1962-1987, serving as principal cellist from 1980-1986.

She was an active soloist and chamber player for 25 years in Tuesday Morning Musical and Wednesday Morning Musicale in Rochester, NY. Carol played in the Lake Placid Sinfonietta for 15 years and was an active member of P.E.O., Chapter AL in Rochester for most of her adult life.

Carol Van Hoesen had a wonderful generous spirit. She embraced all of her husband's students and friends as family members. She loved her children, grandchild and great granddaughter. She gave up a professional performing career, but basked in the accomplishments of her family, and indeed was the driving force behind the success of every one of them. She was a dedicated Mom and saw to it that every need was taken care of and every talent or interest was nurtured.

Carol possessed a strong will, was independent in her thoughts and feisty enough to persevere through many serious health challenges. Life presented her with more than a few obstacles, which she overcame with typical determination. She passed down to her children a positive outlook on life, courage to speak one's mind and the tenacity to achieve one's goals. She will be remembered with love, respect, admiration and will be greatly missed and in her family's hearts forever.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Bradford and Bessie Morse, and her husband, K. David Van Hoesen.

She is survived by two daughters, Gretchen Van Hoesen of Pittsburgh, PA, Catherine Van Hoesen of San Rafael, CA, a granddaughter, Heidi Bearcroft of Toronto, Canada and a great granddaughter, Shelby Caroline Bearcroft, also of Toronto.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Carol's name to P.E.O. Chapter CB, Ellen Smurthwaite, P.E.O. Treasurer, Chapter CB, 1128 Twin Leaf Terrace, Webster, NY 14580, Eastman School of Music, 26 Gibbs St., Rochester, NY 14604 or the Lake Placid Sinfonietta, P.O. Box 1303, Lake Placid, NY 12946. Arrangements by Walter J. Zalewski Funeral Home, 216 44 ^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201.  Online condolences may be made at www.zalewskifuneralhome.com .