Viola Kietzman, 1930-2026

13 minutes ago

3 min read

Viola Marguerite Kietzman Horn

July 1, 1930—August 2, 2026

Viola Marguerite Kietzman Horn, known as "Nicky," died peacefully at her home in Bonita, California, on August 2, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Born July 1, 1930, in St. Petersburg, Florida, Nicky was the fourth of John and Kate Haight's five children. During the Depression, the family drove across the country to Glendale, California. Music filled their home: her father played bass, her mother piano, Elizabeth cello, Harold violin, and Eileen, Nicky, and Dan played accompanying instruments and sang.

Nicky earned music scholarships, a Bachelor's degree from Redlands College, and a Master's in church organ music from Occidental College. At Redlands, she met Mitchell L. Kietzman; they married in 1952 and moved to Cape May, New Jersey, for his Coast Guard service. Their children were Kenneth Alan (1956), Karen Lee (1958), and Kathryn Gail (1961). After moving back to Los Angeles in 1958, and with parental support, Nicky and Mitch each attended graduate school while staying close to their siblings and extended family.

In 1961, the family moved to New York City, where Mitch became a research psychologist and professor. Nicky served 13 years as organist and choir director at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, building a program of classical concerts and musical theater and leading a fundraiser for a Casavant pipe organ. She also led the Staten Island chapter of the American Guild of Organists, played at Temple Israel, taught organ at Wagner College, and belonged to the St. Cecilia Society.

In a career of more than 50 years, Nicky taught and mentored singers, organists, and musicians. She founded the Richmond Theater Collection, presenting opera, musical theater, and concerts from medieval music to rock and roll, including works by her friend and colleague Galt MacDermot, composer of "Hair". She composed hymns, songs, and oratorios, using music to bring people into the church. In 1974, she became music director at Faith Methodist Church on Staten Island and helped bring a pipe organ there, while continuing her concert and theater productions.

After Mitch was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease, the couple moved to Huntington Beach in 1990 to be near family. Following Mitch's death in 1995, Nicky moved to Chula Vista in 1998, having remained active in Methodist churches in Costa Mesa and Chula Vista. She renewed her friendship with John Horn, a mutual friend from Redlands who had also lost a spouse after a long illness. They married in 1998, traveled the world, and stayed active in their community for 20 years. In 2017, they moved to Fredericka Retirement Community to be near Nicky's sister Beth and receive more help for John until his death in 2019.

In fall 2019, determined as ever, Nicky returned to her Bonita home, adopted Genie, the dog, and joyfully hosted parties and visitors. During the pandemic, she shared her backyard for exercise classes and virtually participated in the music program at FUMCCV until she was able to return in person. A devoted choir member, she championed diverse music, including her compositions and works by New York colleagues. Many young singers she encouraged became lifelong friends and visited her in later years.

A loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Nicky traveled to New York and across the country to visit family. She is survived by her son Ken, 70; daughters Karen, 68, and Kathryn, 65, and their spouses; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; 10 nieces and nephews; three stepchildren; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista in California on October 10, 2026, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Dementia Society of America or the American Guild of Organists.