ARCHIBALD, Marian Whitney 72, of Lansdale, PA and Warren, NH, died Jan. 9, 2015 in Lansdale. Wife of the late Dr. Robert Bruce Archibald, and mother of Katherine E. Archibald and David W. Archibald (Sara). Also survived by a granddaughter, Lilienna; brother, John Whitney (Ann); sister-in-law Helen Whitney; brother-in-law Cooper Langford III; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Longtime organist of St. Luke's UCC, North Wales. Also played organ, piano, and harpsichord throughout Philadelphia area and New England. Visitation after 1:00 p.m. Jan. 24, 2015 at St. Luke's UCC, 125 N. Main St., North Wales, PA, followed by the Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. Interment private. Arrangements by the Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, LANSDALE. Contributions to the New Hampshire Music Festival, the Mennonite Historians of Eastern Pennsylvania, the Bruce Archibald Memorial Fund for Music Studies at Temple University, or the donor's favorite charity.

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Published by Boston Globe from Jan. 13 to Jan. 14, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for MARIAN ARCHIBALD

26 Entries

Simon R

January 9, 2024

I will always remember Marian as a warm, kind and genuine person. When she would come to stay with Kathy and I (we were roommates in our early aviation career), Marian was always a pleasure to be around. Her character of being a genuinely wonderful human being live on in her children and grandchildren. You are missed but never forgotten Marian. xx

Kathy Puester Nelson

December 21, 2022

Dear Kathy, David, Sara and Lili, I'm so sorry to be writing you so many years after Marian's death. I just googled Kathy and messaged her on LinkedIn because I've been thinking of you and wondering how to reach you. I have 54 years of wonderful memories with Marian, from struggling together through freshman math to rooming together for two years in Coggeshall House to having her as my matron of honor to many times together in Philadelphia or Cambridge or New Hampshire (where she sold Dave and me on getting a Prius and I still think of her whenever I drive it!) And then, best of all, she rode with Dave and me to our H-R'63 50th reunion and we had a fantastic time remembering escapades together. She also came to Dave's memorial service and loved our music--there can be no higher compliment! It was a joy to have her there (the picture is from September 2014) and a continual blessing to be her friend!

Beth Jenkins

January 27, 2015

I subbed for Marion several times at St. Luke's UCC in North Wales. She was so friendly and outgoing. We sat near each other on some buses at AGO functions over the years. She always had interesting experiences to share. We will miss her!

Eric and Grace Miller

January 26, 2015

My husband and will always remember fondly Marian's positive attitude, joy, and helpfulness at our choir rehearsals. May we all strive to be as kind and unassuming as she was! We had hoped to attend the memorial service, but the weather changed our plans - so sorry to have missed the opportunity to be part of a service of remembrance.

January 24, 2015

We will remember Marian with great love and much thankfulness for knowing her. She was a gentle soul, good long time friend and a great fellow musician. We shared much music with her. So many times, she helped Pete with difficult oboe passages - so patiently and meticulously helping with notes and suggestions. We did many concerts together. One of my fondest memories was one of our concerts at St. Luke's. Marian agreed to play a Lieder concert with me. She was fine with the Vivaldi, Bach and Mozart. But oh, the Brahms and R. Strauss! She said, "I don't know how it will go, but I'll try if you work with me". Working together on those difficult pieces was truly soul-bonding and the concert was a success. Marian was gentle, sweet, funny, talented, willing, dependable, full of life and adventure and gutsy! Such wonderful character traits! She was well loved by many. We will miss her greatly and will remember her with a smile. Deb and Pete Lipsi

January 21, 2015

It is difficult to imagine the world without Marian. It was not that she was a 'commanding' presence, but that her high spirit, tremendous energy and good will permeated everywhere and she served as a family lynchpin. But, it's not really a world without Marian. She leaves something with each of us that will be hers and ours for all our lives.
Cooper (III)

January 21, 2015

Marian was a wonderful gracious person and we talked many times about Bruce as he was my professor at a Temple. She will be missed.
Ellen Bogusz Strange

Steven Swerdfeger

January 20, 2015

We were deeply saddened to learn of Marian's passing. It brought back fond memories of her visits to our family in Spafford and to our visits to New Hampshire and Philadelphia. Marian was a consummate musician and a wonderful human being. Heaven is richer today for her passing; Earth is poorer. We send our condolences and love, Steven & Martha Swerdfeger

Phyllis Saunders

January 19, 2015

Marian was a dear friend of mine and my husband for more than 25 years at the New Hampshire Music Festival. We looked forward to seeing her every summer, enjoying time having meals with her, relaxing at her beautiful home, performing with her on her beloved Church Island and in her church in Wentworth. She was a great patron of the arts, and a personal patron of our family as well. We will never forget all the kind and generous ways she supported us when times were less easy. She was a true friend, and we will miss her greatly.
Phyllis and David Saunders, Jacob and Jonathan

Joel Johnson

January 19, 2015

Consistently faithful ... Marian was an enthusiastic and very generous supporter of the New Hampshire Music Festival for decades. A loving, engaging person ... she "adopted" many of the younger musicians and their families. There were many dinners/parties at Marian's house!

As a leading alto in the NHMF Symphonic Chorus, she was so helpful. Always alert and observant ... she skillfully would ask a question about a part that needed attention. It was like having an assistant conductor ... both Karen and I were very grateful and will miss Marian dearly.

Joel O. Johnson, Conductor Emeritus
NHMF Symphonic Chorus

Mary Weston

January 17, 2015

Would that we were all blessed to live such a long and full life and be taken quickly in the midst of doing what we love, leaving behind a legacy of family and friends that loved us and remember us fondly. Rest in Peace.

January 16, 2015

Marian graciously asked me many times to fill in for her at the organ at St. Luke's when she traveled to New Hampshire. She was a wonderful person, always warm and outgoing. I loved her little notes and cartoons she had at the console. When she first asked me to fill in for her I felt honored, as her husband had been a professor of mine at Temple. Her passing comes as a shock to me, as I have not played for her for sometime, nor heard from her.
Paul Kinsey

Mira Nakashima

January 16, 2015

Marian was a trooper. Not only did she so skillfully accompany four years of Radcliffe Choral Society, but despite her physical ailments, was bound and determined to attend as much of our 50th reunion as she possibly could. We had the good fortune of driving back home with her from Cambridge, catching up on the 50 years that had passed since graduation, recounting many happy memories. What a blessing that she passed so quickly in the middle of a busy day doing what she loved best. Now she will finally join her beloved husband. I look forward to bidding her a final farewell.
Mira Nakashima

January 15, 2015

I remember many happy years spent with Bruce and Marian during Bruce's time at Temple University. Marion would often visit the campus, and three of us would get together over coffee, etc. and talk away.

She'll be missed by me and some of the older faculty members here at Temple.

John Johnson
Professor of Music Theory
Temple University

Joanna Wieckowski

January 15, 2015

Marian graced our Bryn Mawr Renaissance Choir with her strong musical presence, singing alto or soprano according to need. Her voice, her charm, her probing intellect and warm smile will be sorely missed.

Renée Yerger

January 14, 2015

I remember Marian as a superb keyboardist, be it piano, organ, or harpsichord. I was one of the choristers of Franconia-Lancaster Choral Singers, at the time under Hiram Hershey, and then under Ralph Alderfer. We had many happy memories together. I send my condolences to the family and all who were close to her. A great lady and musician will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

January 14, 2015

We were so lucky to have Marian in our lives! Her joy in music, her charm and intelligence, her phenomenal long-distance support of music-makers cross-country, and that glorious smile - she gave many, many gifts. You're all in our hearts and prayers.
Love,
Vicki Heins-Shaw and Stewart Shaw (La Jolla Symphony Chorus, CA)

Jeanne and Bruce Rogers

January 14, 2015

Oh, Kathy, David, Sara and Lili, we are missing her childlike happiness already. Family dinners which she called "delicious feasts" will just not be the same. Always remember the depth of her love.

Simon Robinson

January 14, 2015

In our thoughts...

January 13, 2015

The Mennonite Heritage Center staff would like to express our deep sympathy to Marian's family. She was a friend and volunteer who enthusiastically served as a museum host and participated in many events, including playing the old pump organ at the Apple Butter Frolic. I always looked forward to talking with Marian about her many activities and adventures. She will very much be missed.
Sincerely,
Sarah Heffner
Director

January 13, 2015

I am so very, very sorry. I knew her for many years and saw much of her at Squam Lake, NH. Last summer she seemed to be fit as a fiddle and very happy. She was a wonderful friend, and I shall miss her very much.

Eric Watkins
Saint Paul, MN

Janet Lipsi

January 13, 2015

Marian was a remarkable, talented and generous woman. She has been a part of my life and my family's for decades and I had the privilege of playing beside her in a baraoque quartet for over 20 years. Her joyful spirit was a gift to everyone who knew her. She was dearly loved and is dearly missed. My thoughts are with her family in this sad time.

January 13, 2015

Kathy,, David, , Sara and Liky are heart are breaking with the loss of our dear Marian. Know our thoughts and love are with each of you. We will miss Marian and her Tahoe visits. With love and sad hearts, John, Ann, Courtney and Damian.

Tina and Graham Maggs

January 13, 2015

Kathy and David, our hearts go out to you. Marian was a truly gentle woman with a remarkable gift, and we are privileged to have known her. We will miss her so much.