This Month's Profile...
Marilyn Karr
by Hilda Maston
Musician, philosopher, teacher, wife,
mother, grandmother and motorcycle rider, are just a few
of Marilyn Karr's titles.
Let's find out more about this lovely
lady.
Marilyn was born in Seattle of Swedish
parents. She attended Ballard High School where she met
Bill Karr. She played piano, and Bill played the sax.
They have made beautiful music together ever since. They
have four children, Marcie, the late Steven, Ron and
Chris. They also have four grandchildren.
Marilyn attended the University of
Washington Elementary program which prepared her for
teaching, but her family took most of her attention for
the next few years. While the children were growing up,
she taught
piano
to some of the neighborhood children. She started with
two pupils, and it kept growing and growing until piano
teaching was taking a lot of her time. However, she
also volunteered at the children's school. It was there
that Ann Frodel, who was teaching at the school,
encouraged her to go back to school. In 1984, Marilyn
got her bachelor's degree in Music Education and Piano
Pedagogy from Seattle Pacific College.
Marilyn told me an interesting story
about her change from piano alone to piano and organ.
She was attending a small church which met in a small
building. There she played the piano for Sunday
services. When the church moved to a bigger building,
they had an organ. In one week Marilyn had mastered the
organ and played for the service. Quite a feat! She
has been playing the organ ever since.
Marilyn has done a lot of services for
the church. Since 1974, she has been the organist,
served as the choir director and has been a wonderful
accompanist for the choir and soloists. She has also
served on the music committee. She loves to work on the
bazaars, she said,
"because
you meet so many nice people."
Marilyn manages to find time for hobbies
even with her busy schedule. When they moved onto their
five-acre place she thought about farming. At one time
they had sheep, donkeys, and goats. She still raises a
vegetable garden every year and tends her wild garden.
She also enjoys celebrating her Swedish heritage and has
been able to go to Sweden to visit. I am sure her
Swedish family is as proud of her as we are.
