In Memory of Marjorie Chauvel, Lecturer in Harp for over 45 years

Marjorie Ann Chauvel
October 30, 1922 - April 25, 2021
Resident of Los Altos

Marjorie Ann Chauvel was born in Santa Barbara on October 30, 1922 to Allen and Mary Isabel Gibson.

She took up music and the harp at an early age. Playing the harp and teaching music became the love of her life.

As a harp prodigy, Marjorie moved to New York at age sixteen to study with French harpist Carlos Salzedo, a composer and conductor that turned the harp into a virtuoso instrument. Marjorie then attended the Curtis Institute of Music, a private conservatory in Philadelphia. Following her time at the Curtis Institute, she returned to New York, where she would perform with the New York Symphony and at Carnegie Hall.

Marjorie met Arthur Chauvel at Santa Barbara High School and later re-connected with him during World War II. Art was a fighter pilot on the U.S. Carrier Intrepid during the war, and love letters were passed back and forth. When Art returned from the war, Marjorie moved back to California. There, Art and Marjorie courted and then married. They lived in Palo Alto and there, raised their two children, Ronald and Nanette. Art and Marjorie were married for nearly sixty years and had a loving relationship until 2011, when Art passed away.

Marjorie performed at times with the San Francisco Symphony and at various other events in the Bay Area, but she most loved teaching the harp. She counseled her many students on music and, more importantly, on life. Marjorie taught at various schools including San José State, the University of the Pacific, San Francisco State, and Stanford University. Marjorie taught at Stanford for around forty-five years, until the age of ninety-three. She loved her students, and they loved her.

Marjorie was lucky to enjoy a wonderful life.

Marjorie is survived by her son Ron Chauvel and his wife, Debra Chauvel; her daughter, Nanette Chauvel; and four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Cusimano Family Colonial Mortuary Guestbook: cusimanocolonial.com

Online memorial for Marjorie Ann Chauvel

Photo courtesy of Nanette Chauvel