Marylee Myers Osborn

Obituary
MARYLEE MYERS OSBORN
WESTBROOK, ME - Marylee Osborn died August 3rd at the Springbrook Nursing Care Center in Westbrook, Maine. A long-time resident of Rochester, New York, Marylee had recently moved to Maine to be cared for near her children.Marylee was born in Ithaca, New York in the 20's, the daughter of Cornell Professor Clyde Myers and his wife, Fleda Straight Myers, a restorer of old books. She learned French before English while living with her mother in Europe, graduated early and with honors from Ithaca High School, went on to study violin, voice and music at Cornell, acted as concertmistress of the Cornell University Symphony Orchestra, was a Delta Gamma sister and received Phi Beta Kappa honors.In the post-war years, she sang with her husband John's band to help pay for his Cornell Law School education. They moved to Rochester in 1950. She continued her musical career there and in New York City and began performing professionally in both opera and popular productions. As a lyric soprano, she performed with the Rochester Philharmonic, as Mimi in La Boheme and Suzanne in The Marriage of Figaro, on local public television in The Medium and in several summer theater productions, including appearing with Bobby Van in Bye Bye Birdie. She performed outdoors in Highland Park as a soloist, receiving a standing ovation from the 10,000+ member audience.In the 50's, she had two children, David and Heidi, and gradually relinquished her music career in favor of her family. She was a devoted mother. After raising her children, she worked in the community as a Literacy Volunteer and for Meals on Wheels. She was a member of Morning Musicale, and a social member of the Rochester Curling Club. For the last 15 years, she has loved living in the Corn Hill area and volunteered every summer at the Corn Hill Arts Festival.She traveled often to visit her children and their families, including three trips to Australia and many to Maine. When not visiting, she was in frequent touch with her family, writing elegant, charming letters and sending small gifts. She was a woman of grace, wit, kindness, beauty and love.She will be deeply missed by her family: Daughter Heidi S. Osborn, her husband, Gary Devoe, and their children Anna and Kelly Devoe, of Gorham, Maine; and Son David S. Osborn, his wife Deborah L. Osborn and their children, Alexander, Ryan, Nicholas and Michaela, of Wellesley, Massachusetts; and by her former spouse, John C. Osborn of Pittsford, New York.Her family will hold a service to celebrate her life on Saturday, September 3rd at 10 a.m. in the Chapel in the Golisano Center at Nazareth College, 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, New York. A luncheon reception will follow the service. Arrangements made by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, ME.If desired, memorial contributions may be made in her name to The Humane Society of Rochester and Monroe County at Lollypop Farm 99 Victor Road Fairport, NY 14450 or online at www.lollypop.org.