Lily Yontef

Lily Yontef, 21, of West Hartford unexpectedly passed away. She was born and raised in West Hartford and graduated from Hall High School in 2021.  Lily was a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston and with her love of music, performing and Jazz she was earning her degree.

Lily had a passion for composing music and led numerous bands across several genres. She was smart, beautiful, creative and had a brilliant musical mind.

All of Lily’s family and friends loved her and will miss her dearly.

Burial will be Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 11 am at B’nai Jacob Memorial Park on Wintergreen Avenue in New Haven, CT 06515.

Memorial service and shiva for friends and family of the Yontef family will be held on Thursday at 1:30 pm at Beth El Temple 2626 Albany Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117.

Shiva will continue at the home of Lori Yontef, Lily’s mother, Saturday January 4 through Tuesday January 7, 2025 from 6-8pm with a service at 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Lily’s memory to: Jewish National Fund- Plant Trees in Israel at: https://shop.jnf.org/collections/plant-trees

Dear members of the Berklee community,

It is with heavy hearts that we grieve the loss of beloved student and saxophonist Lily Jinx Yontef, who recently passed away at the age of 21. While I didn’t have the opportunity to know Lily personally, I’ve learned that she was a performance major in her seventh semester who made a significant impression across the whole community, where so many faculty and peers came to know her as a bright talent and inspiration.

Born and raised in West Hartford, Connecticut, Lily was a committed musician from a young age. She began playing piano at 6 and earned the chance to perform at Carnegie Hall at ages 8 and 11. She later moved to saxophone and went on to attend William H. Hall High School, where she was a member of the concert jazz band and doubled on clarinet. She loved jazz in particular and was always exploring and expanding her sound in various settings, from big bands to her own group, which focused on jazz fusion with elements of heavy metal.

She began her college career in the University of Connecticut’s pre-law program, but began having second thoughts. About this time, Lily’s mother Lori said, “I remember sitting in our kitchen in January 2023 and advising her to do something that she feels passionate about. I asked her if she is happy when she is playing her saxophone. Before the words left my lips she said yes without hesitation. I said then just go do that.” Lily did just that, and by the fall of that year, she was attending Berklee on a full scholarship.

Walter Smith III, chair of the Woodwind Department, remembers meeting Lily on her first day, saying he “could tell from that moment that she meant business! She was one of the students that all of the faculty would talk about as being exemplary, and someone we were all rooting for. Her talent and dedication were inspiring to her classmates, and this is a devastating loss for our woodwind community.”

Tia Fuller, professor of ensembles, speaks to that talent and dedication, calling Lily “a superstar in the Berklee community and beyond. She always led with a relentless pursuit, drive, tenacity, perseverance, and unapologetic grace and vision in her life. Her authentic voice on the saxophone is unmatched, and her inspiring compositions were truly a testament of her strength, individuality, and journey.”

She also made an impact on Mimi Jones, professor of ensembles. “Although her musicality was on a very high level, she remained genuinely humble and was always eager to learn more. I am truly honored and grateful to have spent quality time with her and to have played a part in her journey” Jones says. Fuller adds, “I knew that she would always go above and beyond the call of duty and exceed her expectations—and she did.”

Beyond a deep dedication to her craft as a student, Lily was also a private tutor and a steadfast member of Berklee Hillel. She brought the same level of intentionality and care that she showed in Berklee’s classrooms into these experiences, and her generosity of spirit and love for her community will echo on for all who had the chance to know her.

“We will all miss her musical gift to the world,” Lily’s mother told me. “Jacob, Lily’s brother, will miss jamming with her. Her music will always live on in our minds and hearts. This world lost a bright soul and musical gift too soon. May her memory be a blessing.” Lily’s mother invites you to share your memories, photos, and videos of her.

Processing grief and tragedy can look different from person to person. Wherever you are on your journey, remember that we offer counseling services for students, faculty, and staff. Students can also speak to a clinician via phone, chat/text, or video through the TELUS Health Student Support app, available 24/7.

Sincerely,

Jim Lucchese
President