Marian Hughes Bahr

Marian Hughes Bahr, Lyric Coloratura Soprano and breast cancer survivor of 53 years, finished a full life at 101 and 8 months, and now is with her Lord and Messiah, Jesus, enjoying Him forever. - The hope for all who believe.

Born in Gadsden Alabama , her great grandfather, Gabriel Hughes,was one of the original founders of Gadsden. , She was the daughter of life long family Physicain, Dr. and Mrs. M.P Hughes , She had 3 brothers, Joseph, Preston, and Robert Hughes. She started piano at age 6 with her aunt and went on to graduate from the University of Montevallo with a double major in voice and piano and later a Master's in Voice from Kent State University. While in college, she was voted Best Musician and went on to be named Miss Gadsden and other beauty pagents which she rarely spoke about.

After singing in Gadsden at columnist Ruth Hagedorn's home, she was encouraged to apply and was accepted as a pupil of Sylvan Levin, then director of the Philadelphia Opera Company. She later went on to New York City, worked as a model financing her vocal studies, which included operatic study at the Master Institute, Amato Opera Theatre, & Juilliard School of Music. She performed with the St. Louis Opera Company ,the Renee Maison Opera and sang with the United Nations Opera Company at Carnegie Hall in NYC. . Engagements followed in recitals, oratorio, light opera, radio, television and grand opera which took her across the Unites States to South America, Canada, Caribbean area, Hawaii and South Sea islands.

She was nicknamed the "Alabama Thrush" by a New Your Newspaper because of her voice and red hair. Her Lyric Coloratura Soprano voice was especially suited to operatic ingenue roles and gave her many unique opportunities in her professional Opera Career that followed. A few of her Prima donna roles with the Chautaugua Opera company for 3 summers included "Olympia" the mechanical doll in "Tales of Hoffman", where she sang a high F; "Philena" in "Mignon" singing :"Je Suis Titiana"; "Adele" in" Di Fledermus" and "Blonda" in the "Abduction from the Seraglio".. She also toured with the Song of Norway", a Broadway musical..

In 1945 during WWII at age 25, she joined the War effort and become part of the USO and set out with her classical music troupe as the vocalist, on a ship headed through possible German infested waters to entertain the troops at Schofield barracks at Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, the Maianna and Solomon Islands and she was on Saipan when peace was declared. When asked after the War ended, she became a spokesperson selling WWII War Bonds- The Red Feather Campaign with the Rotery Clubs criss-crossings the states.

Later, while on one of her concert tours, this time to Haiti, she met her future husband Edward G. Bahr while waiting in line at the airport. She always smiled when she told that story- she was an "airport pick-up". He, on assignment with Goodyear International, attended all her performances and 9 months later they married in Gadsden with her brother Rev. Preston Hughes afficiating at their 1950 wedding at her family Church , First United Methodist. They lived in San Juan Puerto Rico where their 2 children, Lyle and Valerie Bahr were born before being transferred to headquarters in Akron Ohio . Known as the "Rubber Capital of the World," Akron is still home of the Soap Box Derby and the Goodyear Blimp. She lived there for the next 53 years until moving to Logan Utah at age 91 where her daughter resides.

One of the highlights living in Puerto Rico was meeting and becoming life long friends with Metropolitian Opera Company Basso, Jerome Hines. She participated in several of the Billy Graham Crusades which helped to solidify her deep faith in the Biblical Jesus and His promises of forgiveness, repentence, and His words that "I am the way, the truth and the Life". John 14 :6 Eternal life is offered to all who believe on Him .

While living in Ohio, she was soloist with the Akron Symphony Orchestra in Magnificat and Vivaldi Gloria , Stan Hywet Hall Concert series , the Akron Art Institute and frequently sang the soprano solo's in Handel's Messiah, Brahms Requiem and Elijah oratorio.She was a judge for singing competitions, as well as teaching in the Akron Public School system and voice at Kent State . She taught piano and voice in her own private studio for many years and was a National speaker for the Christians Women's Clubs. She held numerous offices in Akron's Tuesday Music Club for over 50 years and was actively involved with the Friends of Music organization.

She produced a recording in NYC which was later made into a CD containing many of her favorite sacred songs for others to enjoy.

Of all her musical accomplishments, she would tell you Jesus won her heart and her greatest joy was to sing and share about Him. It was her deep and sincere faith in a very real caring God that took her through the sudden death of her only son Lyle at age 21, breast cancer, fragile bones, heart issues and haven been a widow for 43 years. She grew to know Jesus as her Rock, her strong tower to run to in times of trouble and the need to be safe. She had the gift of encouragement and unwaving faith in the promises & truth of God's inerrant Word, the Bible.

She loved to travel and in her lifetime visited 81 countries, many while being a member of the International Hostel Association. She was fearless. If there was a hill to climb, she would do it to see what was on the other side. Her mind set motto to the end, instead of "why" was "why not". Maybe that was one of the many reason she was blessed with such a long full life and memory, plus memorizing and performing operas in 5 languages certainly helped.

She leaves a legacy of faith to her daughter, Valerie H. Byrnes of Providence Ut (Michael ) and grandson Joseph Byrnes (Natalie) in Bend OR. Her "Home Going Celebration of Life will be held Sat. Jan 22, 2022 10:30 visitation prior to 11::00 service at Gadsden First United Methodist Church 115 S 5th Street . Gadsden ALA, with final burial following at Forrest cemetery in the family plot. If rememberances are desired, one could donate to either "Samaritans Purse" humanitarian aid relief oranizationnelief organization or the JESUS FILM project.

Collier-Butler Funeral Home officiating.