Mother, concert violinist, beloved music teacher, friend, longtime Claremonter

Marjorie Cofer Marth, a Claremont resident for more than 60 years, died March 31 at the age of 94.

“Howdy, you all,” she wrote shortly before her death. “What a wonderful life you have made for me. This is a letter of joy and appreciation and thanks and thank you for all the times you have shared with me. Each student each friend has brought so much joy and light into my life. It’s been such a great trip for me and I will carry that with me no matter where I go, up or down, breezy or boiling. Each student, each friend, each program, each rehearsal was in my consciousness and I enjoyed the living gift. My problem is I really want to check out but I don’t want to stop eating (unmovable object against a resistible force). Marjorie”

She was born July 10, 1923 in Weatherford, Texas. After graduating high school, she headed west to California to attended USC, where she graduated with a master’s degree in music. She married Seldon Marth after college, and the couple had one daughter, Shelly.

She spent her life in music. She taught at the Claremont Community School of Music for a short period. However, her primary love was for the countless violin students she taught and mentored in her home for more than 30 years.

Perhaps no one said it better than former student Deanna Morrison.

“Mrs. Marth was the absolute most caring, patient and compassionate teacher I have ever known,” she said. “I was blessed to have studied violin with Marjorie for about 12 years while growing up. No one knew my musical soul better than she.”

Ms. Marth performed for decades as a concert violinist for symphonies and string quartets in Claremont and Redlands.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Shelly Marth, and her great-granddaughter, Nadia.

She is survived by her grandson, Aaron Hughston, and his family.

The family asks those who knew her to join them for a celebration of her life at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 16 at Claremont Manor’s Manor Hall, 650 Harrison Ave., Claremont.