She was born March 4, 1951, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the daughter of John and Susie (Tompkins) Kasper. She was proud of her New England heritage, growing up on Elm Street in Rocky Hill, a Hartford suburb. She was a descendant of Daniel D. Tompkins, Vice President of the United States under President Monroe.
She graduated from Rocky Hill High School and the Hartt School of Music, Hartford, where she studied piano. She was a gifted musician, born with perfect pitch. She graduated from Houghton College, Houghton, New York in 1973 with a Bachelor of Music degree in applied piano with a minor in organ.
She taught private piano in her home in Franklin for 27 years, sharing her love of music with hundreds of children and adults. We all looked forward to her student recitals each May in Franklin, with more than 200 family and friends often in attendance. When a recurrence of cancer paralyzed her left arm in 2008, she continued to enjoy music by singing with The Sweet Adelines and other local musical groups.
Marj was a devoted Christian. Her faith never faltered despite adversity. A member of the American Guild of Organists, she treasured her years as Music Director of the Franklin United Methodist Church and later the First United Presbyterian Church (Red Door Church), Oneonta. She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Franklin.
While noted for her considerable musical talent, she was skilled in business as well. Over the years she was executive secretary to a senior vice president of Owens-Illinois Corporation, Toledo, Ohio and most recently served in the Property Management Department at the State University of New York, Oneonta, retiring in 2008.
When not working, she had many hobbies, including following the Boston Red Sox, cooking, decorating her home at Christmas, fishing, boating, gardening, knitting, and most of all the adventures of travel.
She treasured her family. She is survived by her husband of 39 years Tim; their son Thomas, his wife Lindsay, and grandsons Evan and Aiden, of Beaverton, Oregon; their son Mark, wife Bobby-Jo and identical twin granddaughters Ella and Emma of Chesapeake, Virginia; and son William of Franklin, New York. She is also survived by her mother Susie Kasper of Chicopee, Massachusetts; brother Dr. Robert Kasper of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts and his wife Jeane; brother Donald Kasper of Oro Valley, Arizona and his wife Kearin; brother Howie and his wife Karen of Rockport, Massachusetts; and many beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles and friends.
Many medical professionals in the local community and beyond did everything possible with great success to preserve Marj’s life during the last twenty years, for which she and the family are eternally grateful. When nothing more could be done, Catskill Area Hospice provided valuable support so she could be home with family when she departed this life.
Friends may call from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Main Street, Franklin, New York, with the family in attendance.
The Office of the Burial of the Dead and a Requiem Eucharist will be offered at 1:00 PM Saturday, August 25, 2012 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Main and Institute Streets, Franklin, New York, with the Reverend Scott Garno, rector of St. Paul’s, celebrant. All are invited to be present to celebrate Marj’s remarkable life and testimony. Interment will be private, at the convenience of the family.
Those wishing to do so may contribute to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718; Catskill Area Hospice, 116 Main Street, Delhi, NY 13753; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.bennettfh.com.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
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