Marie Elizabeth Blewett Milne was born December 12, 1922 in Duluth, MN to parents Alford & Vanya (Johnson) Blewett. Marie was a gifted musician and played the violin and viola since she was a young child in Duluth. She received her Bachelor's degree in music with a minor in math from Duluth Teachers College and taught strings. She furthered her studies in New York and earned her Masters of Music from Hartt College in Hartford, CT, where she was on the faculty. Marie later worked as a computer programer in Hartford.
Marie played in numerous symphony orchestras throughout her life, which included the Hartford Symphony, Orlando Symphony, Mankato Symphony, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony; and finally for 25 years was First Chair Viola for the Tampa Bay Symphony Orchestra, a position she held well into her 80's.
Marie reconnected with and subsequently married for the first time to former Duluth schoolmate and friend Richard Milne, a minister who was recently widowed. With her marriage, Marie gained six grown children and several grandchildren without changing a single diaper. However, Marie's love and encouragement over the past 46 years will be cherished by all her children.
Marie faithfully served alongside her husband supporting each church music program as their organist and pianist. Marie and Richard retired to The Mainlands in Pinellas Park in 1985 and were active members of the Church of the Beatitudes in St. Petersburg. Marie continued sharing her musical talents in various string quartets, playing for special performances around the Tampa Bay area.
Marie's final years since 2016 were spent at the Pinecrest Senior Living in Largo, where she was much loved and will be sorely missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by children Richard (Janice) Milne of Lemars, IA; Peter (Cindy) Milne of Granada, MN; John Milne of New Hope, MN; Alexis Milne of Hanover Park, IL; Peggy (Don) Sturn of Osage Beach, MO; Barbara (Glen) Miller of Mountain Lake, MN, and 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
A graveside service for Marie will be held Monday, November 21, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Garden Sanctuary Cemetery, 7950 131 Street North, Seminole, FL 33776.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gardensanctuaryfunerals.com for the Milne family.
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