Mary Spaulding Hense

October 18, 1929 - May 11, 2025 Mary Spaulding Hense, a gifted pianist, beloved educator, and cherished member of the Altadena community, passed away on May 11, 2025, at the age of 95. Born in Pasadena to Harold Spaulding and Wilhelmina Atwood, Mary attended schools in San Marino and Altadena and remained close with childhood friends throughout her life. A graduate of Pomona College, she received a Fulbright scholarship to study at the Paris Conservatory and later earned a Master of Music from the University of Michigan. She taught at the University of Texas at Austin, Santa Barbara City College, and spent many influential years at Pasadena City College, where she founded the piano ensemble program. Mary married William Hense in 1967 and lovingly cared for his five daughters and their families. She was a vibrant soul, known for her radiant smile, generous spirit, deep curiosity, and lifelong love of music, travel and French culture. She is survived by her sister-in-laws Kathy Winer and Martha Ward, stepchildren Christine Hense and Jenny Strasser, nephews Dan Ward, Brad Winer and Grant Winer, niece Kirsten Winters, cousins Cliff Kerr, Mary Barton, Priscilla Barton, Katherine Barton, and many extended relatives and step-grandchildren. Her legacy lives on in the lives of the countless students, friends and colleagues she inspired.