In Memoriam: Nell Finnen Bleidt

1927-2023

Mary Nell Finnen Bleidt passed away May 2, 2023 at her home in Mountain Brook, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Leonard C. Bleidt of Mountain Brook, her brother Henry T. Finnen, and her parents Johnnie Joseph Finnen and Flora Fayette Finnen of Birmingham.

She was born in West Blocton, Alabama on January 13, 1927. She graduated from West Blocton High School and attended Wayne State University and the Detroit Conservatory of Music. She returned to the University of Alabama where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1949, majoring in piano with studies in organ and voice.

In the late 1950's she served as Music Director for WBRC-TV and was active in the Birmingham opera and theater community. In 1959 she was the understudy to Irene Jordan in the Birmingham Civic Opera's production of Verdi’s La Traviata. In 1960 she sang the role of Despina in the Civic Opera’s production of Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti opposite John Brownlee of the Met.

In 1965 she moved into the home she designed around her piano and organ in Mountain Brook, which was featured in the Church of the Advent's Annual House and Garden Pilgrimage.

In the 1970's, she pursued a graduate degree in organ at Samford University.

She was a member of the Birmingham Civic Opera, the Birmingham Music Club, the Shades Valley Music Club and the American Guild of Organists.

She is survived by her son Robert Bleidt of Santa Clara, California.

A funeral service will be held online and at Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood. Email [email protected] or call 205-879-3401 for information. No gifts or flowers are required for the service. If you desire to make a donation, the Alabama Humane Society was her preferred charity.

The song is ended, but the melody lingers on…