Margie Viola Boston

1926 - 2020

Margie Viola Boston, 93, of Rolla, Missouri, passed away at the Cedar Pointe Care Center in Rolla, Missouri late on Sunday morning, January 5, 2020.
Margie was born October 16, 1926, the daughter of Ray Harold and Viola Maude (Myers) Boston at home in Hancock County, Illinois. She was united in marriage to John Cameron in 1949 and they later divorced. After high school Margie went on to study music at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and the University of Tulsa, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. She later received her Doctorate in Musical Arts at the University of Iowa. She retired as Chair and Professor of the Music and Drama Department at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri (former University of Missouri, Rolla). Margie was an accomplished vocalist, performing as a soloist in many opera and musical productions. She was a pioneer in pursuing her Doctorate at a time when that was less common for women. Throughout her career she directed or produced many musical productions and was recognized for her innovative approaches. Margie was a member and former president of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Rolla.
Margie is survived by her brother, Larry William (Jane) Boston of Livermore, California, her brother-in-law David Gnann of Nauvoo, Illinois, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Raymond Boston; three sisters, Elizabeth Elwanda "Bettie" Merritt, Shirley Ann Gnann and Marilyn Jean Morris.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 16th, 2020 at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage with burial to follow in Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until time of services at 11:00 at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to The Music Scholarship Gift Fund, The University of Iowa School of Music, 93 E. Burlington Street, Iowa City, Iowa, 52240. Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.