Music Was Always a Priority for Orchestra Devotee

Last year the Minnesota Orchestra received a generous gift from a charitable remainder trust established by Laureate Society member Dr. Marion Welton and her husband, Dr. George Welton.

Marion was a longtime teacher and school psychologist in a variety of locations, from Texas to California and Hawaii. Music always played a prominent role in her life— not surprising, given her parents' musical abilities: her mother played piano for silent movies early in the last century, while her father loved to gather the family around the piano to sing.

This strong connection to music drew Marion to become acquainted with, and then dedicated to, the Minnesota Orchestra. She found a kindred soul in George, who had also grown up singing. They frequented Minnesota Orchestra concerts and, after retiring to a cabin up north and a winter home in Hawaii, they made a point of spending weekends in Minneapolis so they could still hear the Orchestra.

In Marion's later years, especially after George's passing, her sister-in-law Clarice Swisher continued to arrange trips to Orchestra Hall every two months. Clarice remembers of those times: "It became the highlight of her week when she had a concert to attend, and she enjoyed it immensely."

Marion's niece Mary Sigmundik also knew how her aunt and uncle would feel about making a significant contribution to the Orchestra. "They would be very pleased," she affirmed, "to know that their gift is deeply appreciated and that it will benefit the Orchestra as well as concertgoers."