In Memory

Mary Lindblom (Zwick)

Mary Lindblom


1945 - 2015
 
 
Mary Lindblom
1945 ~ 2015
Mary Lindblom (b. June 23, 1945) passed away peacefully and comfortably on the morning of Thursday, February 19th. Her death was both long expected and startlingly sudden. Many thanks to Dr. Gottlieb, Jennifer Demko, RN and the good people of hospice who provided care and comfort to Mary these last weeks.

Mary is survived by her best friend, partner, and husband Patrick Zwick, with whom she shared a love of literature, politics, food, good television, and dear friends. Most of all, they shared a love of music and each other. Mary is also survived by her four brothers; David, Fred, Bill and John, by her niece Kirsten, and is predeceased by her parents and her sister Joanna, Kirsten's mother. She was previously married to Gary Michael White (divorced).

Mary was a cellist. It wasn't what she did, it was who she was. She began studying the cello in Salt Lake City with David Freed, and continued her studies with Bernard Greenhouse of the Beaux Arts Trio at the Hartt College of Music in Connecticut. She participated in master classes with Gregor Piatigorsky and Mstislav Rostropovich. At 17 she was one of the youngest ever members of the Utah Symphony, and over the years she also played with the North Carolina Symphony, Hartford Symphony, San Diego Symphony/Opera/Ballet, Lyric Theatre and San Diego Chamber Orchestra. In San Diego, she played (and recorded) with the Gennaro Trio for many years. She made her Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1982 with the Era Trio.
David, Mary's oldest brother, commenting on Mary's musical insight and performance, says that Mary had innate artistic abilities from early on. She had absolute confidence with what was right and appropriate in musical phrasing and interpretation. She just knew it and her fellow musicians respected and admired these qualities.

A voracious reader all her life (proud member of Rocky Anderson's Book Club), when the cancer took away her ability to play, she refocused her intellect on reading as much as she could. A conversation that began "So Mary, what are you reading now?" was guaranteed to be interesting.

She was loved by all who knew her, and will be deeply missed. Whatever, if anything awaits us after this, perhaps there's a little more music there. There's definitely a little less here. We love you, Mary.

A memorial service will be held at the First Unitarian Church (569 So. 1300 E.) on March 15, 2015 at 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a local chamber music series of your choice - NOVA, Intermezzo, Park City Chamber Music Society, Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City.
 
Published in Deseret News from Mar. 1 to Mar. 2, 2015

See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?n=mary-lindblom&pid=174273386#sthash.U18MNlwT.dpuf



 
go to bottom 
  Post Comment
    Prior Page
 Page  

03/03/15 06:56 AM #2    

Cheri Smith (Reynolds)

Mary and I were in the orchestra together and I always felt that both her beauty and her music were ethereal. I am glad she was a friend and her loss deeply touches me. 


03/03/15 11:57 AM #3    

Ronald Scott

Narcissists that we are, we usually remember how a relative or friend touched our lives personally.  Only rarely do we have the occasion to recall how someone like Mary Lindblom moved and inspired us collectively. It wasn’t just Mary’s musicianship that rendered breathless even reasonably accomplished musicians.  It was that plus her kindness and consummate humility.

Who could help but be astonished that such an unassuming, delicate and lovely young woman could extract such rich and emotionally sonorous sounds from instrument better suited (until well into the second half of the 20th century) to men with strong, expansive and expressive hands like Pablo Casals, Gregor Piatigorksy and, a few years later, Yo Yo Ma?  

We were blessed, enlightened and inspired by Mary’s presence in our lives. For me, it began in 7th Grade in the Evergreen Orchestra led Mr. William Hogenson, a violist in The Utah Symphony.   It continued through Granite Youth Symphony, where Mary was the principal cellist from about 8th grade on.  

And, of course, she was with us at Olympus where she continued to bless our talented school orchestra while playing as a professional with The Utah Symphony.  Invariably, Mary was the reason why many in our class acquired an early appreciation for classical music.  Who was not moved by her sitting there alone on the stage, bathed in the crosshairs glow of two spotlights, making the entire auditorium and everyone in it tremble with her music?

She earned the standing ovation she got from us that day.  And, I for one, stand now to honor her life, her grace and beauty, her influence on me and on all of us.    


03/04/15 11:42 AM #4    

William Cordray

I do not, unfortunately have the strong memory cells of those who played with Mary in the Orchestra at Olympus. I do not recall Mary's playing. I remember her beauty and quiet reserve. However, I had the unique chance to know her slightly within the last few years, always in the company of Pat Zwick, her devoted longtime friend and adoring husband. I met her sometime after the 40th - where other classmates had mentioned her name as someone special they would love to see again. I was on the Trax to the Symphony when she and Pat walked by and sat near an elderly couple. I recognized Pat from his earlier days in the bass section. I overheard him introduce Mary Lindblom to the elderly couple. As we all got off at the symphony station, I introduced myself and mentioned that people like Ron wanted to make contact with her. Pat graciously gave me his card and I sent the contact information onto others. Over the next few years, I managed to talk with her a few times at various concerts, especially Intermezzo and the Salt Lake Chamber Music Society. Although I do not play any instrument, I love the intimacy of string quartets. I learned that she and Pat performed as a 'cello/guitar duo at various assisted care facilities and elderly housing, I wanted to hear them but never had the chance.

She would not say much and often let Pat most of the talking, perhaps because her illness may have already taken effect. She was always smiling and friendly. Moreover, I was deeply impressed with her calm serenity. Later, we would see them during the summer lectures at the First Unitarian Church, usually up in the balcony. She remained active in such cultural events, as well as the Utah Shakespearean Festival, sharing Pat's intellectual interests. 

Her loss has hit me hard, although I was not a close friend. I regret not having a memory of her playing and hope to hear some recording at the memorial service next week. I will also search for anything of hers I can find online. I hope that some of you here will be there too and share your memories with me. Please write something here, as well!


03/07/15 12:41 PM #5    

Ron H. McKean (Skyline)

Ok, I've got to get this off my chest..finally.  I was in love with Mary in the 2nd grade.  So was Glen Perkins.  He told me right after I declared my love for her on the staris right outside of our classroom at Libbie Edwards Elem.  He lost no time telling me that he loved her too, so I socked him in the jaw, figuring that any competition right then might mess up the rest of my life.  I remember the look on poor Glen's face after I landed my punch...it was horrible.  Mary never knew about this little drama, and I continued to love her from afar. I've always wanted to know whatever became of that delicate little girl that fanned the flame of my first love.  I'm sure that she's stroking that cello in some celestial realm reserved for special, beautiful spirits. 


03/08/15 05:16 PM #6    

Carol Nakamura (Iwasaki)

I loved Mary too Ronnie McKean, but in a little different way.  I'm glad I didn't tell you!!!  Mary and I occasionally walked home from Libbie Edward together.  I remember on occasion she would be carrying a large musical instrument in a case.  I was sure it was a cello, but it could have been a huge violin from my point of view at the time.  I usually stopped to take a ballet or tap  class on the way home,  while she went on.  I have always felt a kinship with Mary because we were the few children who were seriously  engaged in the classical arts. As we grew up, my admiration for her grew as she continued to move forward and upward in her career.  I was so proud of her when I learned she was playing in the Utah Symphony.  I am so glad I had the privilege of sitting with her at the big reunion.  I will always remember what a beautiful person she was.  She had such a delicate elegance about her, was soft spoken, and was so kind.  I am grateful for the Oly-Sky site and those responsible for keeping these wonderful friendships together.


03/09/15 06:52 PM #7    

Ron H. McKean (Skyline)

Carolyn you sweetie!!! You made me cry when you danced at the reunion. Even Bob Stagg was all teary! I promise I wouldn't have socked you punkin if you'd told me you loved her :).  Glen appeared to be some heavy competition at that stage! I hope life is treating you well. Ronnie


06/01/17 06:36 AM #8    

Dwight Osborn

Some wonderful memories come at me when thinking of the artistry and beauty of Mary. I , along with Gordy Lambert and Mitchell (can't remember his first name) played trumped in the orchestra. Not the marching band, or the jazz band, but orchestra. When playing the trumpet in orchestra, it seemed to me we were basically playing a few lines here and there to prop up the the main body of music. I loved the class each day due to the simple fact I loved the music. Mary was front and center. When the orchestra performed Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2 with Jane Britton as the featured pianist, I think of Mary as much as Jane. I know it sounded great and would give anything to hear a recording of it today.

If music is on the other side, and I feel it is, We will hear and appreciate her beauty again. Fond memories will carry us until then.


06/01/17 01:46 PM #9    

William Cordray

Wonderful comments Dwight. I didn't really know Mary well until she came back to SLC, married Patrick Zwick, and started attending Intermezzo Chamber Music Concerts at Westminster. I and others encouraged her to attend the 50th Reunion and was pleased when she showed up, only a few weeks before her death. I was deeply impressed with the respect and love showed her at her funeral, attended by many members of the classical music community, including  leading members of the Utah Symphony. I also managed to get a copy of a CD she played on with the Gennaro Trio. Her playing was magical, with the same quality of mysticism I enjoyed from Yo Yo Ma, Pablo Casals, Rostopovich, and Jacquelyn DuPre. She had soul.

The Mitchell you mentioned was either Allison or Austin. Do you recall their performance at an assembly of the Trumpeters Holiday?


06/02/17 01:21 PM #10    

Dwight Osborn

Yes, it was Austin. Great talent. I was jealous that I couldn't get the triple tongue staccato critical in performing trumpeters holiday!🎵

06/03/17 12:11 AM #11    

Christopher Blakesley

I loved Mary's sweet personality, her thrilling talent, her beauty. I have always been proud that Mary, Mike Ruth, and I jokingly called ourselves "The Troika." .... These days, I'm honored.


go to top 
  Post Comment
    Prior Page
 Page