Mattie Robertson, 90, remembered at celebration of life for her musical legacy
CHICAGO - For 70 years, Mattie Robertson shared her gift of music with thousands of people in the Chicago area.
A music teacher at Whitney Young High School and a choir director for some of the area's largest congregations, Robertson passed away Dec. 27 at 90.
On Saturday, those she influenced and inspired gathered for a celebration of life in her honor.
"She loves music. I only wish I loved music as much as she does. And she dedicated her entire life to it," said Felicia Coleman-Evans.
Hundreds of colleagues and former students filled the First Baptist Congregational Church on the Near West Side to say goodbye to a woman who changed their lives.
"Miss Mattie Robertson was my second mom. She always gave us strict guidelines, but nourished us to become the best person we could be," said former choir member Katherine Monique.
Robertson taught music at Whitney Young for decades and even wrote the school song. After retiring, she continued to stay musically active, directing choirs at several Chicago-area churches.
"When you think of Chicago music legends, you think of Mattie Robertson. She was the epitome of gospel grace. She was well respected," said David Moses.
During the service, video clips of performances by Whitney Young’s Renaissance Concert Girls' Chorus, which won multiple awards under Robertson's leadership, were shown.
But for Robertson, music was more than just a job.
"She loved music. She dreamed music, slept music. She ate music. And so, this was something that was instilled in her as a young child. Even at the age of six, she was playing piano while other kids were playing with dolls," said Pastor George W. Daniels.
Her former students said her presence in their lives was Heaven-sent.
Robertson was still teaching and conducting music as recently as three months ago when some of her former students came together to help her celebrate her 90th birthday.