Mona Schaeffer joined The Moonlight Serenaders back in the 50s when it all started. She performed as lead trumpet for more than six decades.
From the Akron Beacon Journal:
Mona Schaeffer passed away peacefully September 8, 2021. She was the loving wife of Roger for 53 years until his death in 1995. Mona loved music. She was a musician in every sense of the word – a talented trumpet player and often the only female in the dozens of groups she played with over the years including the Moonlight Serenaders dance band, Doppel Adler German Band, the Bethany concert band, and Akron “Pops” orchestra. Mona could play anything, but she really loved big band music. She had a beautiful jazz tone and a knack for Dixieland that anyone who heard her play could tell came straight from her soul. Mona never played the notes. She played the music. Mona is survived by her two most adoring and lifelong fans, daughter, Paula Schaeffer and granddaughter, Eryn Stark and her special friends, Jean and Gary Hamed. (REDMON, STOW, 330-688-6631)