Marian Holbrook Kent

.Marian Holbrook Kent , 81, of Montgomery, AL passed away at home on July 14, 2015 after a battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Dr. Edwin Blue Kent. She is survived by her son Brad (Barbee) Kent of Marietta, children Richard (Kristin) and William; son, George (Tiara) Kent of Montgomery, children Olivia, Emily and Whitman; daughter Mimi (Bruce) Alter of Montgomery children Bruce III, Elizabeth, Caroline, Matthew & Colton; son, Jeffrey (Pamela) of Fairhope children Wes and Sam; sister Bets (Bruce) Bower; brother George (Tara) Holbrook and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Referenced from Montgomery Advertiser Journal on Monday, July 7,1969: Marian Kent: Music has taken pianist Marian Kent around the world and to a private concert for Marshall Tito of Yugoslavia. In fact she can’t remember any part of her life without music. In early school days in her native Wellsville, N.Y., she accompanied a high school choir for four years. During two years at Ethel Walker preparatory school in Simsburg, Conn., she accompanied the choir there. Marian received a B.A. degree from Smith College with a major in music and again she was an accompanist, this time for the glee club. She also was a member of Alpha Society, an honorary arts group. In the mid-1950’s she was at the Yale Summer School of Music and toured North Atlantic Air Force bases as a pianist with a group of 25 college students in a show called “Kids From Home.” Stops were in Bermuda, the Azores, Scotland and Iceland. A year later she went to the 10 European countries with the Smith College Glee Club. A highlight of their travels from London to Istanbul was a private concert for Marshall Tito of Yugoslavia. Marian also studied piano in New York City before coming to Montgomery where she was immersed in music, including Little Theatre’s production of “Oliver!” She was a member of the Music Study Club, Dogwood Garden Club, Baptist Auxillary as orientation chairman, the Junior League of Montgomery, Trinity Presbyterian Church, the Montgomery County Medical Auxiliary and was pianist for the Capital City Kiwanis Club. –Judith Helms. She continued her love for music and the musical education of youth. In October 1983, she was the featured soloist with the Montgomery Symphony playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #3. Over the years she accompanied numerous musicians and touched many lives with her talents. A generous supporter of the MSO, our community, and other charities, her focus was on others and preferred to remain anonymous. In her last days she enjoyed the company of family and friends. She left this world quietly and peacefully and will be missed, but never forgotten. We, the family, pray she is playing in God’s symphony even now. Her Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2015, at 11 AM, at Christ Church, with Fr. Rusty DeMoss officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests that donations be made in honor of Marian to the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra or charity of your choice