Ann Frizzell, the woman behind the scenes at 'Singing Christmas Tree' dies at age 70
Published: Friday, September 17, 2010, 1:00 AM
By Brian McVicar at mlive.com.

Mona Shores, Michigan -- Behind Guy "Skip" Frizzell, Muskegon's song-and-dance man, and the praise and publicity he brought to Mona Shores' schools, was his wife, Ann.

Whether it was designing concert programs, working the soundboard, or offering a musical critique, Ann was devoted to helping her husband put on the best show in town. Together, they popularized the Mona Shores School's "Singing Christmas Tree" concert and drew thousands of fans each year to the Frauenthal Theater for the "Pop Go The Sailors" concerts.

"She was my right-hand guidance," said Skip Frizzell, former vocal music director at Mona Shores. "She endeared herself to everyone, both to the kids and the choir association."

Ann died at her home in Independence, Missouri, Saturday, after battling pancreatic cancer. She was 70 years old.

"You invest 48 years of your life with someone, and it's pretty tough," said Guy Frizzell, who himself is fighting melanoma in his liver.

"She was a big presence at Mona Shores' vocal program during her husband's tenure," said Shawn Lawton, current director of the school's choir program. "She helped her husband create the 'Singing Christmas Tree,' a 67-foot-tall structure in the shape of an evergreen tree that includes tiers of risers that student singers stand upon. The tree made such a splash, it was featured nationally on Good Morning America.

"That was their baby," Lawton said.

Guy and Ann settled in Muskegon, Michigan, in 1973 when he landed a job as vocal music director at Mona Shores. He described Ann as a strong-willed, devoted wife who wasn't shy about sharing her opinion, especially when it came to her husband's profession.

She even successfully urged Guy to send a bouquet of dead flowers to a reporter at The Chronicle who gave one of his concerts an unfavorable review, he said.

"She would urge me to take action," he said. "Patience was not one of her virtues."

At the same time, she was kind and offered support to her husband's choir students.

In addition to her husband, Ann is survived by her daughter, Amy Pierce, 46, of Blue Springs, Missouri, and her adopted son, Aaron Frizzell, 42, of Coeur d Alene, Idaho.

A funeral service will be held September 26, 2010 at Stone Church in Independence, Missouri.

Frizzell
Guy "Skip" 1940 -
Ann W 1940 - 2010