Farewell and thank you Dave Marden

On Monday, March 28, SSC lost a very dear friend in the passing of Dave Marden. Dave came to SSC as an 80 year old adult piano student in Edwina Li’s studio.  Dave’s wife had been a pianist, and after her passing Dave decided he either needed to learn how to play her piano or give it away.

He began lessons with Edwina but was frustrated every time he came for his lesson and had to play on a much inferior instrument to the one he had at home. Dave decided to change that and buy a grand piano for SSC to put in Edwina’s studio.  When the piano arrived, Edwina said “Great! Now my sister can have my old one, because it is better than the one she teaches on.”  Dave immediately set out to get a new one for her twin sister Margaret as well.  At the time he quipped that he was grateful they weren’t triplets!

Over the years, Dave became SSC’s piano angel, buying or refurbishing seven grand pianos in all. Dave always spoke about how much joy he got from these gifts, as he could walk around the Hingham campus and see faculty and students learning and making music on his pianos.

But his generosity didn’t end there. As a final wish Dave requested that, upon his death, donations be sent to South Shore Conservatory in lieu of flowers.

Dave was a knowledgeable fan of large theater pipe organs such as “The Mighty Wurlitzer,” was a wonderful dancer, had a great sense of humor and loved SSC. For years he was a “regular” at Conservatory concerts. As much as SSC was special to Dave, he also knew how much he meant to everyone here who came to love him and his jokes. His passing has left an empty chair in our audience and a huge hole in our hearts.

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