Obituaries

Marilyn Lucille Lentz was born December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor Day, in Detroit Michigan to parents Lucille Stewart and Raymond Rudolph Lentz.  She attended Cody High School, Oakland Community College and Oakland University.  Her family was active at Hope Memorial Lutheran and Resurrection Lutheran churches where she began her singing career.  Marilyn went on to sing with St. Matthew's UMC, Grosse Pointe UMC, St. John's Episcopal, Dearborn Chorale Arts, Madrigal Club of Detroit and The Choralaires.  She also followed her aunt into the phone business working at Directory Assistance for Michigan Bell.  

 

Marilyn moved to Denver Colorado in the late 70's where she continued her work with Mountain Bell.  It is in Colorado that she actively pursued her vocal career appearing in the Gilbert & Sullivan Theatre productions of Mikado, Pirates of Penzance and H.M.S. Pinafore.  She was also an original member with Opera Colorado with Nathaniel Merrill and Louise Sherman, in Tales of Hoffmann, Turandot, La Boheme, Othello, Tosca and Il Trovatore.  She soloed at Central Christian and First UMC Boulder where she performed the role of Mother in Amdahl and the Night Visitors.  Marilyn also performed with Antonia Brico in many concert and opera performances.

Marilyn moved to New Jersey in the 80's and continued her career with now AT&T working in the President's Office and then as Director of the Bell Archives.  She actively pursued her singing career performing throughout the New York Metro area including performances at Carnegie Hall (the Re-opening Concert in 1987), Lincoln Center, Garden State Arts Center, Sine Nominee in NY, NY Renaissance Festival, Monmouth Civic Chorus, Shrewsbury Chorale, Garden State Singers and a multitude of area churches including Red Bank Christian Science, Colts Neck Reformed and St. Peter's Episcopal Freehold.  Marilyn also performed in Great Britain and Germany.

 

Marilyn loved music and loved mentoring and supporting young musicians.  She also volunteered with the Monmouth Board of Elections and Central New Jersey American Red Cross.  Donations in her honor may be given to support young music students in your area or the Central New Jersey American Red Cross.

 

Marilyn is survived by her family Camille Thompson and Pauline Bradshaw and remembered by her many friends and audience listeners.