Obituary of Mary Edith Hughes Fenwick

Mary Edith Hughes Fenwick of Calgary, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at the age of 86 years. Mary was born in Calgary on November 20, 1919 and grew up in Cereal, AB. She began her musical studies in Cereal, and moved to Calgary at the age of 15 to study piano with Dr. Gladys Egbert. In 1936 she won the Gold Medal (highest mark in Canada) from the Royal Conservatory of Music for her LRSM exam. She was also awarded a scholarship to study in London, England, for three years, but was unable to accept due to the onset of World War II. As a professional musician she was in demand as a performer, accompanist, and examiner. She performed solo recitals throughout Western Canada, weekly live radio shows in Calgary and in London, ON, and was a featured soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and London Symphony Orchestra. She accompanied many renowned musicians during their appearances in Alberta, including soprano Teresa Stratus and violinist Alfredo Campoli. For decades Mary served as an examiner for the Western Board of Music. During summers in the 1950s she performed with a piano trio at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton, AB, and it was there that she met her husband, George, who predeceased her in 1991. They married in 1959, and their son, George (Mindy) was born in 1964. Mary taught private piano lessons in Calgary for over six decades, and it is perhaps as a teacher that she made her greatest contribution. She brought music into the lives of hundreds of young students, and launched the careers of many professional musicians. Mary loved reading, hiking in the mountains, and her many feline companions. She will be greatly missed. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Friday, October 20, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made in Mary’s name to the MEOW Foundation, Box 65024 RPO North Hill, Calgary, AB T2N 4T6 Telephone: (403) 230-6033. In living memory of Mary Fenwick, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH. Telephone: (403) 276-2296.