Marian Boyden

As a child, her only interest was music, and while that never changed, little Marian was not permitted to study the piano until the age of ten when her father Mr. E.W. Boyden taught her for one year. After having studied for only four months, she was heard twice weekly on radio station WENR in Gary, Indiana, playing the music of Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin.

At eleven, Marian began her studies in Chicago at the Cosmopolitan Conservatory of Music Daisy Waller Stephen, a pupil of Leschetizky. The following year she appeared at Orchestra Hall in Chicago as soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Hans Lange in a performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto 23 in A Major. At the age of 12, Marian memorized and mastered the Concerto in a single week.

Marian won numerous state contests and scholarships, and was presented with a gold trophy on radio station WGN in Chicago. At age 18, Marian joined the Putt trio as the featured pianist, touring the major US cities and internationally. In the early 1990s, Marian and widowed friend Louise Putt, retired and moved to Northwest Arkansas with flair and style.

Marian was married to her music, and is survived by two nieces and a nephew.

Marian Boyden donated her home at Pinnacle Country Club to the University of Arkansas’s Music Dept.

While Marian will be remembered, in certain circles, as a master of her music, her fame is more accordingly due to her sweet disposition, pleasing nature, and thoughtful tendencies.

A great gratitude is expressed to Jamestown Nursing and Care Facility in Rogers, AR for their grace, sincerity, and compassion in overseeing to Marian’s well-being during the last 6 months of her life.

The world has lost a most talented musician.

At Marian’s request, no services are planned. Her urn will be placed at Pinnacle Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers.