Louise A. Bussing

Louise Angele Drogoul Bussing

“Lisa”

Born in Nice, France, December 2, 1936, daughter of Honoré Louis Drogoul and Mary Thèrése Angele Cori. In 1940, during World War II, her family moved to Provence. They returned to Nice in 1946, a year after the war ended. 

“I was 8-1/2 the first time I saw a piano, in a mountain village in Provence. I liked to sing and from age 5, my mother taught me how to read treble and bass notes, singing as I was reading them. After that it was easy for me to sing and play the piano keys. I knew I wanted to have music in my life.”

At 10 years old, Lisa began studying piano at the Conservatoire de Nice, and started to teach piano there at age 17. She graduated with a degree in performance in 1955 and was the recipient of the best student of the year award, the ‘Grand Prix du Conservatoire’. After graduating, she accompanied instrumentalists at the Conservatoire while studying organ, eventually earning a minor degree in organ performance in 1959. While she studied the organ she also worked as an international tour guide.

In 1959, Lisa met her future husband Jerry W. Bussing, a Navy cryptologist. They married September 2, 1961 and moved to Monterey, California. In 1962 their daughter Diana was born. The following year, they moved to Laurel, Maryland and then had their son Charles (Bill) in 1964. The family was transferred and lived in Germany and Japan, returning to Maryland in 1974. Lisa served as an organist for the military chapels while overseas, and upon settling in Laurel, became one of the organists at Ft. Meade Military Chapel for over 30 years.  She also taught French at St. Mary of the Mills school.

Lisa taught private piano lessons overseas and continued to do so her entire life. She belonged to the Maryland State Music Teachers Association (MSMTA), a national organization, beginning in 1978. She also became a member of the Greater Laurel Music Teachers Association (GLMTA) in 1979 and later served as its president from 1984-1986. She promoted French piano music repertoire and annually sponsored the ‘Henri Carol Memorial Awards’.

Lisa was preceded in death by her loving husband Jerry in 2008, and her twin sister Henriette at 10 months old. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Ken Honeker of Hawaii; and her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Stacy Bussing of Maryland. She is also survived by her grandchildren Colin Honeker, Christian Honeker, Clarissa Honeker, Jessica Sabol, David Bussing, and Joseph Bussing. 

Lisa was an inspirational teacher to her many students. They learned to love music while challenging themselves to become better musicians, students, and people.  Her legacy lives in the music and life lessons that she shared with them. She will be deeply missed.

In memory of Lisa Bussing, donations can be made to: 

Greater Laurel Music Teacher Association (GLMTA) for French music recitals and competitions

Please mail to:

GLMTA

Attn:  Wendy Dengler

8702 Granite Lane

Laurel, Md  20708

A memorial service will be held for Lisa on Saturday, September 21st, 9:30am, at St. Mary of the Mills

114 Saint Mary’s Place, Laurel, Maryland, 20707, followed by a reception at her home.  The family requests the house be filled with piano playing during the reception.

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