Camilla Taylor Foley

Camilla Taylor Foley, 84, resident of Mt. Lebanon, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, January 12.

Camilla was preceded in death by her beloved family—her father, Thomas Foley; mother, Margaret Taylor Foley; and sister, Patricia Foley Skerritt.

Camilla is survived by her brother-in-law Alan Skerritt, and her cousins—Maureen Foley and Maureen’s husband John Foley, Catherine Donnelly, Lynn Durst, James Estep, Suzanne Poss, and Karen Hinchberger. Camilla is also survived by her “adopted family” and dear friends Charles Wilson, John Sotirakis, and Luke Benford.

Camilla took great pride in her upbringing in New Castle, PA with parents and a sister that she adored. She would often reflect back on childhood memories of conversing around the family dinner table, enjoying her studies, and playing with the neighborhood children. During this time, she studied piano with Sister Miriam Joseph at St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School—a great influence on her love of music.

In public high school, Camilla excelled in a variety of subjects that inspired her to continue what would become a life-long pursuit of learning. She received much of her education from Duquesne University. Her undergraduate degree was in Sociology, with a minor in Political Science. She then went on to receive her Paralegal Certificate from Duquesne and became a practicing Litigation Paralegal for the defense side for many years—included posts at both small and large Pittsburgh firms. Camilla’s specialization was in asbestos litigation.

She eventually returned to her alma mater Duquesne University to receive a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. But even later in life, Camilla was not ready to leave the classroom environment that she loved. She decided to pursue her artistic side and became an avid pupil in the Music Department at Community College of Allegheny County, where Charles Wilson was teaching. Camilla embraced her music studies that included theory, piano performance, ear training, music history, and choir. Even though Camilla had met Charles years earlier at St. Winifred Church where she sang in the choir and played handbells, it was during this time at CCAC when Charles and Camilla grew as teacher and student, colleagues, and life-long friends.

Camilla’s accomplishments, along with her fearlessness and love for the arts, have made her a key asset to the formation and ultimate success of Crafton School of the Arts. The School was born out of a need to create a cultural center that would bring the Crafton community together and offer a variety of arts experiences. Founders Charles Wilson, Camilla Foley, and John Sotirakis began the school to offer instruction in music and art, with the addition of lectures, presentations, gallery shows, and a unique gift shop—The Charles and Camilla Collection!

Camilla helped create the vision of CSA, which is to create a culture of creativity…a place where students, young and old, encounter a nurturing, educational environment that fosters a healthy self- image through positive reinforcement. A place to “find your many gifts.”

The School was on Camilla’s vision board which she faithfully developed for many years—and it came to fruition!

Throughout her life, Camllla’s curiosity of the world and love of education garnered her a treasure trove of information and “pet” subjects that she loved—the history of the British monarchy, world religions, opera, modern politics, and the ancient Chinese art of tai chi and qi gong (pronounced CHEE-gung) which she practiced religiously.