Rodica Leah Eugen

Her father was a well-known conductor and composer, so along with her inherent artistic talent Rodica’s life in music was almost destined.  She trained as a classical pianist and studied music to the highest academic levels in Romania.  From an early age she performed in solo and orchestral concerts throughout Europe, and continued performing after immigrating to Canada with her husband and family.  Her career continued to flourish, even in the era’s stifling political conditions in Romania.

In her childhood she befriended a boy that she would eventually marry, happily raising a family for more than 63 years.  She lost her husband in 2022, and although she bore his loss heavily, her passion and warmth for her friends, colleagues, and even her sincere, radiant happiness towards people she spoke with only momentarily on rare occasions, never waned.

With the family’s immigration to Canada, the challenges Rodica faced were each surmounted because of her intellect, talent, and passionate care for her family.  She is survived by her two children, who cannot imagine a world without the warm, gentle care they always had from her.

In Canada, Rodica established her passionate, and highly-recognized career at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto as a piano teacher and examiner.  For over four decades, she put utmost personal attention, countless hours, even years, of dedication towards every student she ever taught, and careful finesse into every class she led, including the Adult Performance Masterclasses that she introduced, developed, and led for the Conservatory.

Throughout the years, many of Rodica’s students fondly kept in touch with her from all around the globe, regardless of their paths in life.  After being informed of her passing, some of Rodica’s former students responded with not just words of condolences, but with incredibly poetic expressions of heartwarming love for her, for her teachings, and for the joy she gave them.

As a pianist, she gave the world joy through music.

As a teacher, she inspired and exemplified the importance that the role can play in a student’s life, regardless of their age.

As a mother, she created a utopian life and home for her family.

As a wife, she inspired a mutual love in her marriage that was recognized and spoken about with joy in her circle of friends.

Rodica’s professional recognitions, awards, and individual achievements are numerous, but they were not her motivation.  Her love and generosity of spirit, her contagious gentle goodness, will be what endures in the hearts and minds of those that had the luck and privilege to meet her.

She was, and will be, forever loved.