Remembering Heart of the Arts Award Recipient Jean Patoka

Lincoln Arts is saddened to learn of arts champion, talented accompanist, and our 2022 Heart of the Arts Award recipient Jean Patoka’s passing this April.

With a degree in music from the University of Wisconsin, Jean dedicated her life to the musical arts. For 15 years, she taught piano, and enjoyed accompanying and parodying songs with friends and other organizations, including Friends of the Lied and The People’s City Mission. As an accomplished pianist, Jean could play the piano by ear and had perfect pitch.

Jean extended her music gifts to all in the Lincoln community, serving as an active member of the community as a co-founder of S.A.I.L. Music Camp, member of the Child Guidance and Lincoln Community Playhouse boards, and a vocalist for the Westminster Church choir, among numerous other roles. Bringing her musical talents to others brought Jean great joy, just as her willing attitude and dedicated work ethic brought happiness to those who knew her.

With confidence, we can say that Jean enjoyed sharing her abilities with the Lincoln community at large. Learn more about how she did so here.