4/1/1904 ~ 4/21/2003
Lucile Burnhope Swenson, noted pianist, teacher, and composer, devoted and beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on April 21, 2003, at the age of 99.
She was born April 1, 1904, in Ogden, Utah, to Isaac and Anna Marie Christensen Burnhope.
Married Don Edwin Swenson in the Salt Lake Temple on June 28, 1929. He died September 5, 1946.
Lucile was a woman of uncommon optimism and gentleness, constantly inspiring and encouraging others by her positive outlook on life and her devotion to her family, church and music. She has touched, nurtured and blessed the lives of many.
An accomplished musician, she served as pianist and choral director in LDS wards and stakes in Salt Lake City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Graduated as a soloist and teacher of piano from Sacred Heart Academy and from McCune School of Music and Art, where she was on the piano faculty for many years. She attended the University of Utah as she furthered her degree in music. Her love for music and excellence in performance brought her scholarships with Edward P. Kimball, Rudolph Ganz, Troy Sanders, and Dr. Oscar Wagner of Juilliard School of Music in New York City. She was a member of the Tabernacle Choir, and played violin in concert orchestras. She composed and published the well-known teaching method "Discovering the Piano - The Multiple Key Approach." She served as chapter president of the Salt Lake Chapter of the Utah Music Teachers Assoc., served as state president of the Utah Music Teachers Assoc., and as a member of the Southwestern Division of the Music Teachers Nat'l Assoc.
She was selected to go to Europe on the "People to People Goodwill Tour" of Belgium, Poland, Russia, Italy and France, a program created by President Eisenhower. She was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon International Professional Music Sorority, Alpha Dorian Fine Arts Club and the National Federation of Music Clubs. She was pianist for the Professional Chamber Music and Solo Performance Group of Salt Lake City. She traveled extensively, lecturing and presenting workshops dealing with piano teaching methods.
She was a devoted teacher of music and a composer, writing for choir, ladies trio, piano and string ensemble, and was a successful businesswoman and editor of music publications.
Lucile organized and performed with her children in the "Singing Violins."
Survived by her four children: Don B. (Nola) Swenson, Carole (Lynn) Williams, Bernice (Klaus) Guertler, and Claron E. (Carol) Swenson; many grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Don; a sister, Marguerite Kirkham; brother, Donald Burnhope; and two grandsons, Steven Williams and Scott Swenson.
Funeral services will be held Fri., April 25, 2003, at 12:00 noon at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 So., Salt Lake City; where friends and relatives may visit on Thurs. 6-8 p.m. and on Friday, one hour prior to services. Interment will be in t
he Salt Lake City Cemetery.