Jean Jarvie Obituary
BOXFORD — Miss Jean Oberle Jarvie, 76, of Topsfield Road, Boxford, died unexpectedly at her home Sunday, July 27, 2008.
Born in Pittsfield, she was the daughter of the late James G. and Cecile (Oberle) Jarvie. She was raised and educated in Pittsfield. She was a graduate of Pittsfield High Scholl, Class of 1950, Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, Class of 1954 and Boston University, Class of 1959, where she received her master's degree in music.
After teaching music in Pittsfield for several ears, Jean moved to Topsfield and became a music teacher at Masconomet Regional High School, where she taught for 31 years until the time of her retirement. She directed the orchestra, chorus and many Broadway productions at Masco as well as many concerts at other local schools. She was committed to her students and would accompany them on trips to New York and other major cities and abroad. Upon her retirement from Masco, she continued teaching private flute lessons at her home.
She was a long-time resident of Topsfield and Boxford and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and REAM; she enjoyed handiwork and her beloved quilting group.
Jean has always had a dog, but a few years ago she decided to adopt a second. After having "Toby" for some years, she took in his mother, "Rain" who is now 14. She had dearly loved all of her animals and they provided much joy and company to her over the years.
ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral service will be held privately, graveside in the Pittsfield Cemetery, where she will be buried next to her mother, father and grandmother. As requested visiting hours are omitted. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., (Route 62) Danvers. For more information, inquire at 978-774-6600. On line guestbook at www.legacy.com. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Jean's memory to the Masconomet Music Parents Association as follows: Jean Jarvis Scholarship Fund, C/O M.M.P.A. P.O. Box 95, Topsfield, MA 01983.
This obituary was originally published in The Salem News.
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19 Entries
Polly Fischer Kim
August 2, 2020
Condolences to her friends and family. I think Miss Jarvie would be proud of her students Lance Roberts and Donna Murphy, who are Broadway actors. I always loved the musicals she produced at Masco. I was in the pit orchestra and helped with costumes.
Mark Howard
August 18, 2017
I learned of Jean Jarvie's passing with great sadness several years ago and am very late in offering my message. Miss Jarvie was the teacher who had the greatest influence on me as a high school student and it is the truth to say that I have thought of her every day of my life since my graduation in 1970. Others who knew her well will not be surprised by this and no doubt have had the same experience. I had a great passion for music which she recognized and encouraged and was the person who helped me most through the difficult adolescent years in school. I have done the same for students in my adult life and attribute this to the gifts she gave to me which have never faded. I only wish that I could pay her a visit and tell her this. With love, Mark Howard
Ken Landall
March 8, 2010
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jean Jarvie. I am guessing that I am one of her oldest students (69 years old). I took flute lessons from her when I was in high school, from 1955 to 1958 - more than 50 years ago! She was a wonderful teacher who inspired me to be the best flutist I could be, and believe it or not, I still play occasionally at church! We had stayed in touch over the years mainly through Christmas cards. I wish that I had stopped in to see her in Topsfield when we passed through the area. It is wonderful to see from the guest book how she had touched others in similar ways. God bless you, Miss Jarvie.
Jean Jarvie Scholorship Fund
December 13, 2008
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ROSE-MARIE BRILL
November 18, 2008
I met Jean 13 years ago, in August 1995, when she visited France and was looking for her ancestors. I was 34 years old at that time and was so glad to meet my American aunt and show her some places in the Alsace region where her grand parents came from.
Since 1995, in each of her Christmas letter, she asked me when I will come to visit her in the States.
Finally, this year I planned a big 3-week US trip during my summer vacation with a stop at Jean's home. I was so excited to visit Jean and share some time with her in Boxford. When I learned about her death 2 weeks before leaving France for the US, I felt so bad and so guilty for not having visited her earlier.
Thanks to Brad and Carolyn Esthus, I could visit Jean's place in Boxford, discover where she lived and share a little part of her life through pictures and souvenirs. THAT was a great moment which I will never forget.
Rose-Marie Brill (Paris - France)
Dick Ray
August 26, 2008
It was with great sadness that I learned of Jean Jarvie's death. I had just finished playing bass at a gig, and was once again reminded of what this wonderful educator had done for me. She taught me to play bass (albeit bass viol) in the Masconomet orchestra back in the spring of 1963, and here I was, 45 years later, still playing. But she did so much more for me. In the spring of 1971 while going through a period of aimlessness following a tour in Vietnam, I was substituting for one of the junior high middle school teachers at Masconomet, and Jean slipped into the back of the room to observe the lesson. At the end of the class, she said to me, "You know, you really ought to do this." And although I didn't realize it at the time, that comment gave me the inspiration to pursue a 35 year career as a high school choral director. Because the musicals we did at Masco were such an important part of my high school experience, I made sure that I shared that with my students, and the spirit of Jean Jarvie was woven into every one of the 29 musicals I directed. I can only hope that in some small way I will have passed on to my students that spirit, and that one of them will carry that torch forward. That is the legacy of Miss Jean Jarvie.
Jim and Pauline Carter Ray
August 9, 2008
We will always hold the fondest memories of Miss Jarvie. She is the reason for our 34-year marriage and our three children! She placed us next to each other in Chorale in 1970, then made us dancing partners in “Kiss Me Kate”, and the rest, as they say, is history. We’ve thought of her and her influence on our lives so often. We still sing in our church choir, our children all sang in high school and college choirs in addition to their instrumental playing, our older son met his wife in his university choir, our daughter loved her choral participation throughout school, and our younger son had the leads in his high school musical productions. Miss Jarvie instilled in us a love of music, of singing, and of musical theater which we in turn passed on to our children. She is with us every time we see a show on Broadway. We still use the steak platter she gave us as a wedding gift and I never cease to think of her when it comes out of the cupboard. She guided and influenced countless young people, all of whom benefited from her talent, wisdom, and friendship. She expected the best from us all (who can forget her slamming her music stand on the floor when she got exasperated with us?!?) and we tried to give back a portion of what we received. Our condolences to her family. May they take comfort in knowing how many of us loved Miss Jarvie, how much she meant to us and the enormous impact she had on so many lives.
Marilynn Carlton
August 9, 2008
Miss Jarvie & the music room at Masco became a major focus in my high school years, and even today continue to help guide my priorities. Jean motivated me through countless performances, auditions and into music school at Hartt College of Music. More importantly, she helped instill in me the importance of participation in music in our lives, as both performer and audience. This has blossomed throughout my career and personal life as I have helped to bring many performing organizations to venues and support access to them for larger audiences. Music is not a 'frill'; but will always be a cultural necessity. Jean Jarvie, and people as dedicated as she was are the reason this understanding should never change. I am happy to know she had a long, satisfying life. What a blessing she was to us all.
Kenneth Talberth
August 8, 2008
The number of lives that Jean touched, the influence she had and the joy that she brought to so many, participants and audiences alike, is incalculable. For me, Jean gave me a life, a way of life, way to work and a set of standards that I have striven to carry with me well into adulthood. This fall, a group reunion of sorts is being planned in New York City of those of us who became fast friends working under Jean’s auspices and influence during our time at Masconomet, doing shows and making music. Over 30 years later, we remain friends, remain committed to the ideals that Jean instilled in us and remain ever grateful for those wonderful experiences that she gave us so many years ago. This is an example of Jean’s legacy. I am sure that there are hundreds more.
Marna Carlton
August 7, 2008
I was so saddened to hear the news of Miss Jarvie's passing today. I was one of the many students privileged to have been under her guidance for my four years at MASCO. She encouraged me to audition for the first student director post for the chorus and I was chosen. Despite my fears and apprehension, she had faith in me and taught me so much. I still sing in a chorus today and that, in no small part, is attributable to her influence. I always think of her when singing The Hallelujah Chorus. I'm sure her grand finale will be glorious. One teacher can make all the difference.
Jack Carlton
August 7, 2008
Like so many before and after me I had the privilige of 4 yrs of "Miss Jarvie's" constant influence at Masco from 1970 - 1974. She cajoled and persuaded me to join her Singers and Chorale affording me some great and memorable experiences singing at countless venues. Her faith, dedication, and high standards required you give your best in return. Thank you again, Jean.
Jack Ray
August 4, 2008
Jean Jarvie influenced my life in a number of ways and came to be a mentor and good friend while I was at Masco and afterwards. When I was 16, Jean picked me to play Frederick in Masco's very first musical, "The Pirates of Penzance" (1961). In subsequent years she directed me in "The Gondoliers" and "The Student Prince" (no Broadway shows in those days). As an Oberlin graduate, Jean influenced my decision to go to that college, and when I did I sang for four years in a superb choir that toured the Soviet Union, Romania, and large parts of the U.S. When I was a senior at Masco, Jean brought a notice from her music educators' magazine to my attention concerning the formation of a School Chorus of America that would be touring Europe the following summer, and encouraged me to audition. I did, was accepted, and went. Without Jean's influence, it's fairly certain I would not have had these memorable experiences. I'm stunned when I realize how young she was when all this was going on. I extend my condolences to all who mourn her loss.
Louise Pajak
August 3, 2008
Miss Jarvie was a wonderful teacher and mentor; she will be missed.
Louise Bears Pajak (Masconomet 1974)
Cheryl Morales
August 2, 2008
If heaven had beautiful music before, it just got a whole lot better. I was lucky to be a student of hers 34 years ago, as she was an incredible inspiration to many people.
It was a wonderful surprise when I moved back to this area to see her come in regularly to the store where I worked, even more of a surprise when she recognized me. From then on at each visit we would catch up on news of classmates, children and community theater. She even came to see my debut into community theater, having put the bug into my head all those years ago.
We all have lost an incredible woman and shall miss her dearly.
Helene (Cripps) Williams
August 2, 2008
I was sorry to learn of Jean's passing. Although we do not always have the contact we would like with our former PHS 1950 classmates over the years, it is always pleasing to learn of the accomplishments of those we had contact with on a daily basis during our high school years. What a pleasure to read of Jean's accomplishments during her lifetime and how much so many must appreciate her contribution to their lives. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. You all must have some wonderful memories.
Kate Mann
August 1, 2008
I was fortunate to have Jean Jarvie for one year while at Masconomet, which was my seventh grade year, and then she retired after seventh grade. I remember her being kind, nice, but yet she did have a stern way about her, which was fine! I was shocked to read about her passing. I have seen her out in public from time to time, but haven't seen her in awhile. My condolences to her family!
Deborah Trippett-Bateman
August 1, 2008
I was so sad to read about Miss Jarvie's passing. I had her as my music teacher from 1980-1984, but have seen her frequently about town the past few years, and always enjoyed our conversations. My condolences to her family.
Jeanne Burke Arnold
August 1, 2008
I am very sorry to read that Jean has passed on, I have been living in Fl. since 1980, & thanks to friends in Ma. & the computor I try to keep up with the news,which sadly isn't always pleasant.
I'm just happy to read that she had such a wonderful life, God Bless Her.
Rachel Whitman-Lauser
August 1, 2008
I was dismayed to read of Jean's passing when I reviewed The Eagle on line from Schenectady where I've lived for the past 30 + yrs. For the past several I was always going to try to meet up with her someplace when I visited my daughter in Rockport--and now another lesson in not putting things off "til the next time/trip. A PHS 1950 classmate and Rainbow sister, she was always a kind and thoughtful friend with whom I shared many activities and a serious interest in music.
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