MARIAN GRACE Age100, of Albuquerque, NM, passed away Monday, March 26, 2012. Marian was born February 26, 1912, in Toledo, OH, to Robert and Sarah Poole. She moved to Hillcrest Avenue in Toledo, OH, with her family in 1914 at age 2 1/2, and she remembered being upset because the moving company lost her toy broom. Marian attended business school from 1929-30 and met her future husband, Wilbur, on a double date when she was 17 years old. They married August 26, 1933, and they lived in Toledo, OH. Their son, David, was born in 1934 and passed away in 1940 at age 5 1/2. A fond memory that Marian remembered was when a neighbor gave the family a ready-to-eat dressed rabbit, and David called it a "mouse chicken." Marian and Wilbur moved to Sandusky, OH, prior to moving to Albuquerque, NM, in 1953 when Wilbur obtained a job at Sandia Laboratories. Marian and her husband Wilbur traveled to many places, including China, where they walked the Great Wall; and Russia, where they cruised on the Black Sea. They also drove their camper to Alaska and throughout most of the United States, and their dog traveled with them whenever they went. Marian also traveled to Britain with her friends from the organist society to see many organs there. When Marian was a child, her brother Nelson paid for her music lessons at 75 cents per session, which firmly established her love of music. She later attended The University of New Mexico (UNM) and graduated in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in music from the College of Fine Arts. She highly valued her education at UNM and felt that everyone at the university was very good to her, so she established the Marian Grace Henry Scholarship in the Department of Music within the College of Fine Arts with the hope that her gift would allow her to be remembered at UNM. Marian was a long-time member of several music organizations, including Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) International Music Fraternity for Women, Friends of Music Inc., and the American Guild of Organists. She also taught piano and organ lessons to many children who then grew up and brought their own children to her for music lessons. Many of her former students sent cards for Marian's 100th birthday, and Marian remembered each person fondly. Marian's love of music continued in her twilight years, and she held season tickets to the Santa Fe Opera for the last ten years. Marian was a treasured member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Albuquerque for many years and played the organ regularly for the Sunday school class. She was also invited to play for services and wedding ceremonies at other churches. In addition to her many human friends, Marian valued the companionship of her two cats, JoJo and Bimbo, who both predeceased her. She also maintained a small fish pond in her back yard. One year, a pair of turtles discovered her back yard, and they hibernated there for several winters. Marian always enjoyed the first signs of spring and seeing her turtle friends return to her yard for the warmer weather. She also raised orchids. Marian was quite tech savvy and enjoyed using her computer to send emails and pictures to friends and family. She also had great fun creating business cards and personalized greeting cards, which she printed in color at home. Her most recent creation was the invitation for her 100th birthday party, which was attended by dozens of relatives, friends, and neighbors, to Marian's great delight. Marian gave to many charitable organizations, including the Albuquerque Chapter of the American Guild of Organists; Sigma Alpha Iota of SAI International Music Fraternity for Women; Principia College, Elsah, IL; Friends of Music Inc., and the New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch. Marian was predeceased by her husband, Wilbur Henry; son, David Henry; brother, Nelson Poole of Valparaiso, IN; and great-great-nephew Brandon Urban of Pflugerville, TX. She is survived by sister, Roberta Butler of St. Thomas, Ont., Canada; nephews Richard Butler (wife Jacquie, deceased), of Vancouver, BC, Canada; Robert Butler (wife Teresa, deceased), of Ayton, Ont., Canada; and Charles Butler of Toronto, Ont., Canada; nieces Sally (husband Rod) McNeely, of Toronto, Ont., Canada; Jeanette Walker (husband Mike), of London, Ont., Canada; and Patricia Helferich of Georgetown, TX. She is also survived by thirteen great-nephews and nieces and twenty-three great-great-nephews and nieces. Urn interment will be held Santa Fe National Cemetery. Please visit our online guest book for Marian at www.RememberTheirStory.com. FRENCH 1111 University Blvd NE 505-843-6333
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