Gigiann VanDyke Obituary
Gigiann "Gigi" Hunter VanDyke, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, educator, activist, and musical visionary, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025. Born on September 9, 1936, in Chattaroy, West Virginia, to Annabell and Elijah Hunter, Gigi dedicated much of her life to the transformative power of music—using it to uplift, educate, and unite people across racial, cultural, and religious diasporas.
Gigi earned her bachelor's degree from West Virginia State University and her master's degree from the University of Bridgeport. She dedicated her career to advising and mentoring students as a guidance counselor at Brian McMahon High School in Norwalk until her retirement in 1977. But her most profound legacy was built through her love of music.
In 1975, Gigi's strength as an activist for justice came to the forefront when she was asked to assemble a choir for the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra's performance of Porgy and Bess. When members of the orchestra used dismissive and used offensive language such as "your people" while addressing her and the choir, Gigi took a stand. Refusing to tolerate such treatment, she withdrew from the project, and the choir, in solidarity, followed.
The choir Gigi assembled refused to disband, and from that experience, the Serendipity Chorale was born. Over the next 45 years, the Chorale became a celebrated musical institution, performing with legends like Pete Seeger, Andy Williams, Betty Jones, and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra.
Recognized nationally for its impact, the Chorale was honored by Peter Jennings and CBS News in 1998 and declared a "Connecticut Treasure" by Governor Jodi Rell in 2000. Gigi's last performance with the Chorale was on February 19, 2025.
Gigi was not just a talented musician—she was also a bridge builder. When divisive rhetoric threatened to widen the gaps between the African American and Jewish communities in the 1980s, she was approached by a local cantor to create the African American/Jewish Spirituals, a musical healing service. This unique collaboration brought together diverse faith communities in a celebration of shared music, featuring Hebrew, Cantorial, Israeli, Blues, Folk, and Gospel Spirituals. The concert blossomed into an annual tradition, celebrating the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A proud and devoted Soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Gigi was a Charter Member of the Fairfield County Alumnae Chapter formed December 1, 1979.
While she made an indelible mark on the world, Gigi found great joy in the simple things—a good glass of Prosecco, popcorn, weekly card games with her best friends, and countless hours of Scrabble battles with her son and grandsons. She cherished conversations and time spent with her sisters and was a constant source of love and wisdom to all who knew her.
She leaves behind a legacy of love, music, and activism, cherished by her ("little") son Nathaniel (Laurie) Shipp; grandsons Wesley (Julie-Ann) Shipp and Hunter Shipp; bonus granddaughter Brittany Giles; her sisters Jada Hunter and Koki Hunter; her adopted daughter Debbie Littlejohn; her bonus sons Harry VanDyke and Todd (Paula) VanDyke; and a host of nieces, nephews, Sorors, and dear friends. She is reunited in eternity with her parents, her brother Michael Hunter, and her sisters Julie Hunter Carter and Saki Hunter Kelly.
Gigi's warmth, wisdom, and unwavering spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She taught us that music has the power to heal, unite, and inspire change. Her song may have ended, but her melody will never fade.
All are invited to attend a Memorial Service being held March 29, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on the Green located at 3 Lewis Street, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851. Family visitation shall take place beginning at 11:00 a.m.
