Denise Mara

MARA, Winifred (Denise) Passed away peacefully Sunday, December 17, 2017, at the age of 95. Born in Victoria on September 9th, 1922, Denise attended St. Christopher's School and later Norfolk House. While Denise was a good student, her real passion was for music. At a young age Denise began piano lessons and in her teens she was discovered by Jan Cherniavsky, a world renowned pianist living in Vancouver. Jan later became her teacher, mentor, supporter and good friend. Denise also spent 3 years in Toronto studying with Alberto Guerrero, a prominent pianist and teacher at the Royal Conservatory of Music, before returning to Victoria and eventually moving to Vancouver to continue her studies with Cherniavsky. Denise was a guest pianist with both the Victoria and Vancouver Symphonies and later did a European tour performing in ten major cities throughout Europe including London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen & Berlin. Music remained a passion for the rest of Denise's life. She was a committed volunteer for various musical events and gave generous financial support to the Vancouver Academy of Music, Vancouver Recital Society, Vancouver Opera Foundation, SPCA, and the Vancouver Foundation which now controls the Denise Mara Foundation, helping promising young musicians just starting out. She was also a past member and President of the Georgian Club in Vancouver. Denise more recently moved back to Victoria so that she could be closer to her niece and nephew. Predeceased by her parents, John Lytton and Frances Denise Mara and her brother John and his wife Mary Mara, and nieces Pauline Mara-Isserlis and Joan Willis. Denise will be greatly missed by her niece Kathy Mara and her nephew Drew (Andrew) Mara and his wife Cathy, nephew-in-laws Steven Isserlis and Terry Willis, as well as great nephews James, David, Dave, Tristan, and Gabriel and great niece Patricia. No service by request.