Mary Givens

Givens, Mary Ellen of Minneapolis, died on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. She was born May 8, 1923, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, to Anna and Hugo Ackerman. They moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, two years later where Mary spent her elementary and high school years. Mary was preceded in death by two older sisters, Jane Jennings and Ruth Mayer. She is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Joe Givens; and daughters, Beth, Claire and Ann; step-grandchildren, Tamlan and Jessamy Dipper; loving nieces, nephews and friends. Mary was a gifted musician from an early age. She played the piano and several other instruments as a child. Mary graduated from West High School in Minneapolis in 1941 and from Carleton College in 1945 with a B.A. degree in music. She married Joe Givens on August 13, 1949. They moved to Dawson, Minnesota, in 1951 where they raised their family and lived until 1981. Mary was active in music in Dawson. She was organist and choir director for the First Presbyterian Church for over 25 years. Besides being an exceptional pianist and accompanist, Mary was a dedicated piano teacher and mentored many talented young musicians in Dawson. She also assisted with local school music productions. In 1972, Mary toured southwest Minnesota with professional cellist Jennifer Langham, as part of an educational program funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. She performed the Grieg Piano Concerto with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra during its 1973 residency in Dawson. Mary was a performing member of Thursday Musical in Minneapolis. She loved two-piano music, including Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," played with friends on her two grand pianos. In honor of her 70th birthday, her daughters commissioned Carol Barnett to compose a piano piece, "Syncopated Lady," encompassing elements of Mary's extensive repertoire, which ranged from Bach to boogie. She and Joe retired to Edina, Minnesota, and Naples, Florida, in 1981. They toured the U.S., Baja, Mexico, and Canada in their motorhome, the "Rambling Rainbow." She and Joe also traveled to Europe, India, Burma, and China for Joe's consulting work in vegetable oil processing. Joe and Mary moved to the Kenwood Retirement Community in Minneapolis in 2006. Mary will be remembered for her beauty, her quick wit, a keen sense of humor, and her love of family and friends. Her memorial service is Saturday, October 11th, at 4 pm, in the Chapel of Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis. Memorial contributions may be made to the MacPhail Center for Music, 501 South Second Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401, where Mary studied as a child. Washburn-McReavy Davies Chapel 612-377-2203

Mary Givens

October 9, 2008

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