EDEN, Weber County — Athleen Humphreys Toombs never had any ambition to be the star of the show.
Instead, the 96-year-old Eden resident was content behind the piano, nodding her head to the beat, tapping her fingers on the keys and switching up the arrangement, all to make others shine.
Toombs has been sharing her gift of music for 90 years; 75 of those years were at church, where she served her ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as pianist and organist. She often reflects on the bond that music brought along the way. Music filled the home where she grew up and, later, the home where she raised her own children. Along the way, music led the way to new friendships that have stood the test of time and kept her mind strong and heart deep.
"There wasn't anything about music that I didn't like," Toombs said of her childhood surrounded by rhythm and beat. "Music had to be a part of everything in our life."
The music started with her dad, George Humphreys, a direct descendant of one of the first settlers of Pleasant View, Weber County.
"Dad taught me to chord the 'Irish Washerwoman' on the piano so I could accompany him while he played with me on his violin," Toombs said.
That was only the beginning.
Sunday nights during those early years of learning the piano meant the extended family would show up and gather around. Toombs said her family purchased a piano during the Great Depression for $300 because they felt that music was important, even necessary, to keep optimism high during hard times.
Toombs became a sponge for learning the notes and keys under the watchful eye of her aunt Norma, her piano teacher. Soon, her talent was being used at church.
"When I was 14, I was asked to play the piano at Mutual," she said.
With the encouragement of others, she continued to improve.
She said one of her favorite songs to play was the parlor song "I Love You Truly." She also liked to play "any of the church songs and hymns," and she learned to arrange, sight read, improvise and play by ear.
As Toombs married and had her own children, the Sunday night tradition of music and family remained.
"Mom would be on the piano, Grandpa on the strings or horn, Uncle Verl would play the French horn, Uncle Kenneth on the standup bass, and Cousin Lynn on the clarinet," said Anne Toombs, Athleen Toombs' daughter. "I was really little, but looking back, it seemed like we had a hootenanny out there every week."
Athleen Toombs' dedication to music was evident to her children.
"Mom never asked if my homework was done or pushed me about grades or school; the key question every day was, 'Did you practice your piano?'" Anne Toombs said. "I can't put into words how much I admire her talents and how much I love her."
Soon, Athleen Toombs' ability to accompany found its way into church programs, dance bands, duets and trios. She even played the piano at the funeral of her husband, Jack Toombs, in 1977.
"She had a double trio of ladies called the Crescendos," Anne Toombs said. "I think they got together when I was about 11, and they practiced every week at our house. I know the words to all those old songs they sang. Sometimes mom and I will try to sing them together now, not beautiful, but good to recall the memories."
When Athleen Toombs and her husband lived in Willard, Box Elder County, Toombs met Helen Jane Lemon, who had the same gift of making music. They enjoyed playing "Tea for Two" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the same time on two pianos. Soon, Lemon became a treasured friend as they played countless numbers together. Until last year, the two of them performed at the Willard Fourth of July celebration.
Toombs' well-used piano of years gone by has since been passed on to family, but in her room at BeeHive Homes in Eden sits an electric piano, which she played up until last May when she suffered a damaging fall. In the past year, playing the piano has become too painful for her, yet she still carries a beat in her heart, a tapping of fingers on her chair and a smile when she recalls the tempo that music has added to the details of her life. Her greatest legacy, her family — three daughters, 10 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren — have all been influenced by her talent.
"Music has filled every part of my life," Athleen Toombs said. "It has made my life wonderful."
Amy Wilde is the proud great-niece of Athleen Toombs, and she resides in Perry, Utah. Her blog is at amyjowilde.com/blog, and her email is wilde.amy@gmail.com.
Twitter: wildeatmosphere