The Bluffton Icon named Jean Ann Szabo, 91, resident of Maple Crest, recipient of the Icon’s Zuzu’s Petals Award.

The award comes following the Icon’s invitation to viewers to nominate who they believe is Bluffton’s greatest musician, or modestly put, a great musician who well-deserves the recognition.

This year’s recognition comes following the Icon’s free showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” at the Shannon Theatre on Nov. 23.

The award is named in honor of a little girl, Zuzu, who gave her father, George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), flower petals in the movie, which near the movie’s climax, provided that George Bailey wasn’t dreaming.

“We had several great musicians nominated for our award. This speaks volumes for the significance that music is recognized and appreciated in Bluffton,” said Fred Steiner. Each nominee is deserving of the award. Mrs. Szabo was the eventual winner.”

Jean Ann Szabo
Mrs. Szabo has lived in Bluffton since she was 5 years old, graduating from Bluffton High School in 1945.

She attended Bluffton College for one year, studying piano under Pearl Bogart Mann, who encouraged her to transfer to Baldwin-Wallace where Jean graduated magna cum laude in 1949 with a music degree.

She later earned her master’s degree at BGSU, while teaching full-time at Bluffton College and raising a family.

Jean Szabo has taught countless Bluffton residents piano from her home from 1950 to 1965, before she joined the Bluffton College faculty.

As a music teacher at Bluffton College she taught hundreds of students music appreciation and piano.

She accompanied many student recitals and played harpsicord for the community “Messiah” without pay or teaching credit.

She also headed the Bluffton College Artist Series at least a decade. That series brought outstanding nationally recognized professional musicians to the community.

She was a volunteer organist at First United Methodist Church for 60 years, playing for Sunday services and many funerals.

And, the Szabo family ensemble, which included her late husband, James, and their sons, Jeff, Jerry and Jon, played at many Bluffton weddings over the years, in addition to performing their own recitals.

Jean continues at the keyboard where she accompanies the “Maple Airs,” men’s chorus at Maple Crest, in weekly rehearsals and several concerts a year.

Here is testimonial by one former Bluffton College music major:

 “Mrs. Szabo is one of the few ladies left on the planet who exudes class, nobility and credibility. She was one of the many faculty at Bluffton who shared and lived what she taught. She’s a throwback to an era where there was an understood way of doing things that resonated with most.

She was comfortable using words explaining composers and the various time periods that influenced their works, but I’ll always remember the conviction and authenticity found when she looked at you. It made you want to sit up and take notice.”