Pigot, Mary (1926-2015)
PIGOT, MCMURRAY, MILLER, MACNEIL
Posted By: Colleen J Ossman (email)
Date: 10/12/2015 at 18:40:11
September 21, 2015
The Daily Freeman JournalMary McMurray Pigot left us to our own devices at 5 o'clock, Thursday, the 10th September, 2015. She was a vivacious, warm hearted woman who loved life, the performing arts, her garden, her family and friends, and was ready for games of any sort.
Mary was born in the family home at 620 Webster Street in Webster City, Iowa, October 29, 1926. She was the fifth child in the family of Murray and Margaret Miller McMurray - the baby of the family. As a young girl Mary enjoyed an adventurous and rich life as part of a large family in small town America and was often caught red handed in various shenanigans with her co-conspirator brother Charley. She was musical and athletic, riding her bike for 79 miles to Clear Lake as a teen and singing in the Congregational Church choir.
Mary pursued an active career as a singer, actor and teacher. As a young woman she graduated from Grinnell College in 1948 and moved to New York to pursue a career as an opera singer. She studied at Juilliard and then moved to Brussels, Belgium to study voice and audition for European conductors. Upon her return to New York, she signed with Columbia Artists and from 1957 -1961 she became a principal artist of the Santa Fe Opera Company where she sang lead roles, and went on to perform in various roles at other opera companies across in the US.
While singing lead roles for the Canadian Opera Company, she was asked to join a repertory company in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mary embarked on a new career as an actress and made her way to Halifax in 1963. Over the next fifteen years or so she played many roles at Neptune Theatre, acquired a husband and two children, and began a new life as mother and teacher.
Mary was a caring and attentive mother, a vigilant member of school committees and acted as Snowy Owl in the local Brownie troupe. With her husband David, she made many canoe trips with friends and several times went canoeing and camping by herself. Mary was a strong, determined person who always made time for fun, and who attracted a circle of friends to whom she was devoted and who greatly enhanced her life.
Professionally Mary had a long career in Halifax as a singing teacher, inspiring students musically and vocally. She gave her all to her students, from amateurs to professionals, and was rewarded with enthusiasm and devotion.
She was predeceased by her sister Nancy and two brothers, John and Charles. Her sister, Barbara, lives presently in Seattle, Washington. Mary is survived by her husband of 51 years, David Pigot, her son Jason (Shawna); daughter Toni, and grandson William, and many nieces and nephews on the McMurray side. Surviving on the Pigot side, are sister-in-law Patsy MacNeil, (Peter) and nieces and nephews.
To contact the family email: imayo @ ymail.com.
Hamilton Obituaries maintained by Lynn McCleary.
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