Marjorie Louise Hart

Beloved matriarch of a large adoring family, Marjorie Louise Hart passed away peacefully at the age of 100 on Monday, Oct. 7th. She lived an extraordinary life as a renowned cellist, inspiring professor and best-selling author.

Born in the small midwestern town of Story City, Iowa, on April 15th, 1924, Marjorie was nurtured by a musical family and community that provided opportunities for performance and talent to grow. After winning cello competitions and graduating from Story City High School in 1942, she attended Iowa State University and University of Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1946. Her first position as instructor was at DePauw University where she taught returning servicemen from WWll, many older than herself. In 1947, Marjorie married a dentist, also a musician, named William L. Hart (deceased 1981), converted to Catholicism, and moved to Estherville, Iowa. He enlisted in the Navy, and they relocated to San Diego. He served as a Naval dentist on the Kearsarge aircraft carrier in Korea and upon returning, he established a private practice in Del Mar. They lived in Solana Beach before moving to San Diego.

Marjorie continued to play cello for the rest of her life, with positions in the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Opera, the Starlight Opera, the Alcala Trio and a number of chamber music ensembles. Marjorie received her Masters in Arts from San Diego State University in 1967. From 1967-1993 she was on the faculty at University of San Diego (USD) teaching music courses where she served as Chair of the Fine Arts Dept. and retired Professor Emeritus. Highlights of her career included a master class with Pablo Casals, hosting Aaron Copeland at USD, and playing with celebrities such as Nelson Riddle's orchestra, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Andy Williams and Peggy Lee.

In addition to her musical career, Marjorie had four children: Susan (Stuart Wilson), Robert Hart (Annette Cyr), Elise (Terence Cassidy, deceased), and Jane (Scott Myers). They grew up in a home where lifelong friends were entertained and music was heard in every room. Marjorie has 9 grandchildren and a growing clan of 15 great grandchildren.

Known for her good humor and storytelling, Marjorie was inspired to share her college adventure when she and her Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority sister left Iowa in the summer of '45 for jobs in New York City. At the age of 83, in a golden moment, she published her memoir "Summer at Tiffany" (2007). The book quickly became a New York Times best seller, enchanting readers worldwide with its immediacy and Marjorie’s fresh, vibrant voice.

In 1988 Marjorie married Pete Cuthbert (deceased 2017) who has three daughters: Cynthia (Vitas), Lisa (Sagat), and Teri (Davies-Storm). Marjorie and Pete lived in La Mesa before moving to the Wesley Palms retirement community. Marjorie continued to write, publishing a prequel in 2023 about growing up in Story City, a town of mostly Norwegian immigrants. “Story City Stories” is a family treasure of life lessons and history.

Marjorie's faith, compassion, humor and talent will be dearly missed. She is preceded in death by her parents, Anna and Alfred Jacobson, her sister Katherine Munsen and brother Philip Jacobson.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery Chapel in San Diego at 10:00 Tuesday Oct. 29th, followed by luncheon. A Holy Rosary will be said Oct. 28th at Goodbody Mortuary El Cajon Blvd. at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Catholic Charities of San Diego.