Hundreds turn out to honor Libby Fill

A performer and radio personality has brought joy to many.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Joe Del Signore, the president of Libby Fill's fan club, recalled how he got the title.
At another event honoring Fill for her many good works, he said, "the mayor and all the dignitaries had titles except me. So they made me president of her fan club, and it stuck."
Del Signore was one of the hundreds who turned out Sunday at the ITAM Center to recognize Fill for her 45 years as a radio celebrity.
The Tamburitzan musician for 60 years had also played music from Youngstown's great ethnic melting pot for 45 years, most recently on WKTL, the Struthers School District radio, from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday nights.
Linda Kovachik, a member of the fan club, said Fill's listeners were many, and faithful. Shuts-in and those in nursing homes were often listening for a favorite song.
Kovachik said, "She played over many years. She put a song in their hearts."
That's the official admission to Libby's fan club: "A smile on your face and a song in your heart."
Fill also constantly played at every type of event.
"Any function done to help people, Libby is the first person to help," Kovachik said. "She'll help anybody."
To list all those helped by Fill, Del Signore said, "You'd have to speak for a week. She helped everyone."
Following in her footsteps
Kay Sefcik took over the International Tamburitzan Hour in January. She said of Fill, "She's such a great personality. She doesn't want any recognition."
Sefcik said she took over the show because she felt she owed it to Fill, especially to help pass the music down to their children.
"It's the love of the music. It's the love of the culture," she said.
Fill's parents came from Macedonia, and Sefcik's came from Croatia. The ethnic music has spread to include Spanish, Irish, Polish and other influences. And unlike today's often machinelike tunes, Sefcik said, with traditional ethnic music, "There's a definite melody."
And it's happy music for happy people as several generations played music, ate, drank, laughed and talked.
"You see anybody who's not having a good time?" Sefcik asked. "We will forever be in her debt."
Performers
Among the many performers were three women who sang a song to Fill, thanking her for all the times they played together, the songs they learned, and all the laughter.
Members of Fill's family also took to the stage to serenade her with a series of songs, ranging from the hymn "How Great Thou Art" to Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire."
When the players got into Cash's hit, Fill shouted, "All right, Stevie" at one of the performers.
One moment, Fill was holding her great-grandchild. A moment later, she was dancing barefoot with other women to "Never on a Sunday" from the movie "Zorba the Greek."
Fill was reluctant to talk, but explained her beliefs that have brought such joy to so many.
"I try to please God," she said. "With that, I please people."
wilkinson@vindy.com