Catherene Marie Hampton

CATHERENE MARIE HAMPTON was born November 29, 1949, in Asheville, North Carolina. After fighting a valiant battle, Marie passed away August 20, 2016 at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura.

Marie attended school in Port Hueneme, and upon graduation attended the University of Rhode Island, where she majored in veterinary science. Her love of animals continued throughout her life and showed especially in her care of her beloved service Maltese dog, Smoochie. Marie worked at the Optical Shop at the Navy Base in Port Hueneme until her retirement.

Music was always Marie’s joy, her focus, her talent. She started singing at the age of 2 in her church – she had perfect pitch! And as the family moved to various places (Rhode Island, Guam, Port Hueneme) Marie always sought ways to express her musical interests.

It was when Marie joined the ChannelAire Chorus of Sweet Adelines in 1974 that she found the perfect opportunities to hone her musical talents. She sang with the chorus, learned to arrange barbershop music and published her arrangements, and even wrote and produced the many incredible annual shows ChannelAire presented. Among her most memorable were “ Paint Your Wagon”, “Music Man” and “Robin Hood,” but there were a multitude of others. Marie could envision what the staging needed to be, what props and backdrops were needed, and what songs the chorus and quartets would sing. Then there was the choreography. Marie “saw” what movements the chorus could do to enhance the entire musical picture, and she communicated those movements both through physical teaching and her paper “stick figures.”

In addition to the chorus, Marie lent her musical gifts to many quartets and double quartets during her career as a Sweet Adeline. One of the most memorable was “The Four Maldehydes,” a comedy quartet that was remarkably “well preserved”. Many longtime Sweet Adelines still remember the foursome singing their signature “Yellow Bird,” “Put It On A Ritz,” and “Red Snails in the Garden.”

Marie was a born comedienne. She had boundless energy and a huge zest for the funny side of life. Anyone who saw her perform with Marianne Soles as the “Smisters Sisters” was enthralled with her quick wit and great stage presence.

Just as music filled life, so did friends. She was beloved by the entire Sweet Adeline community as well as by her lifelong friends and her family. The tributes to Marie filled social media – expressions of sorrow, grief, but also gratitude for the friendship and love that Marie had always shown to others. Need a hug? Marie was there. Need help? Just ask her. In the hospital? She’ll be there with a smile and a gift. Need a ride? No problem. Want to go on an adventure? Sure! Want to go to Disneyland? You bet!

Disneyland was always in Marie’s heart. She always had annual passes, so on every opportunity, she went to the Park and reveled in its energy and creativity.

In 2008, Marie found another outlet for her singing by joining Chandler Station Band. They performed in many venues in Southern California (they were the house band for the Mayflower Club) and even sang at Turtle Bay on Oahu. Her band mates will sorely miss her energy, voice, and creative talents.

Recounting her quirky and playful adventures would take pages and pages. Crazy bed races at the retreat in Astara — dreaming up choreography ideas during her dental visits --— winning the “black purse” award — performing at Carnegie Hall with the chorus — laughing as the gang of 10 invaded the bars in New York City and sang “Danny Boy” — and on and on.

In 2015, Marie again stepped into the Sweet Adeline world, volunteering as Interim Director for ChannelAire Chorus. She wrote an amazing script for the chorus as prepared for competition – an inspired performance as the chorus, dressed in full animal costumes, sang to the theme of Noah’s Ark. Marie was Mrs. Noah, and she was truly in her element as she directed the chorus.

Marie is survived by her sister, Virginia (Ginger) Jones of Yucca Valley, and her brother, William Hampton of Pomona. She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert, and sister, Mildred. She has a beloved sister-in-law, Nancy Lee Hampton, in Rhode Island, and has numerous nieces and nephews: Lisa, Scott, Laural, Cindi, Darci, plus great-nieces Sarah, Hannah, and Christi, and great-nephew Shawn.

Marie’s talent, her voice, her humor, her zest for life and adventures, and her friendship are gone from us now. We hope that she has transitioned to the great Heavenly Choir, where she is welcomed and revered. We who remain her will remember her with love, admiration, and affection. We will miss our friend dearly.

“And in the end, the Love you take is equal to the Love you make” -- The Beatles