Obituary of Mary Dunham Pigot

Mary McMurray Pigot left us to our own devices at 5 o’clock, Thursday, the 10th September, 2015. She was a vivacious, warm-hearted woman who loved life, the performing arts, her garden, her family and friends, and was ready for games of any sort. Mary was born in the family home at 620 Webster Street in Webster City, Iowa, October 29, 1926. She was the fifth child in the family of Murray and Margaret Miller McMurray - the baby of the family. As a young girl Mary enjoyed an adventurous and rich life as part of a large family in small town America and was often caught red-handed in various shenanigans with her co-conspirator brother Charley. She was musical and athletic, riding her bike for 79 miles to Clear Lake as a teen and singing in the Congregational Church choir. The family ran the McMurray Hatchery and explored the USA by car, tent and even by donkey. Mary pursued an active career as a singer, actor and teacher. As a young woman she graduated from Grinnell College in 1948 and moved to New York to pursue a career as an opera singer. She studied at Juilliard, got a Scholarship to Tanglewood and received a Rockefeller Grant to move to Brussels, Belgium where she stayed for two years to study voice and audition for European conductors. Upon returning to New York, her first professional orchestral engagement as a soloist was with the Boston Symphony under Charles Munch. In 1955 she signed with Columbia Artists and began national tours, singing recitals in small towns from California to Newfoundland. From 1957 -1961 she became a principal artist of the Santa Fe Opera Company where she sang lead roles in operas, such as Cosi Fan Tutti and Rakes Progress, (notably with Stravinsky at rehearsals). She gave a Town Hall recital as her New York debut to favourable reviews and went on to perform in various roles at the New Orleans Opera Company, Florida Grand Opera, Washington DC Opera Company, and Center City Opera, Colorado. During this time she sang with many of the great singers of her time, such as Eileen Farrell, Zinka Milanov, and Leontyne Price. While singing lead roles for the Canadian Opera Company, director Leon Major asked Mary to join a group of actors to form a repertory company in Halifax which became the Neptune Theatre. After a trip to New York to attend acting classes, Mary embarked on a new career and made her way to Halifax in 1963. Over the next fifteen years or so she played many roles at Neptune, acquired a husband and two children, spent three years in Devon, England with family, returned to Canada and began a new life as mother and teacher. Mary was a caring and attentive mother, a vigilant member of school committees and acted as Snowy Owl in the local Brownie troupe. With her husband David, she made many canoe trips with friends and several times went canoeing and camping in Kejimkujik Park by herself. Mary was a strong, determined person who always made time for fun, especially if it involved competition - she was a no-holds-barred croquet player - and who attracted a circle of friends to whom she was devoted and who greatly enhanced her life. Professionally Mary had a long career in Halifax as a singing teacher, inspiring students musically and vocally. She taught singing for many years at the Maritime Conservatory of Music eventually becoming Head of the Voice Department and taught singing for actors at the Dalhousie Theatre Department. She gave her all to her students, from amateurs to professionals, and was rewarded with enthusiasm and devotion. In the last few years, when it seemed she should move to the city, she fiercely resisted moving from her beloved Schooner Cove home. Mary got her wish and was able to stay there until the very end. She was predeceased by her sister Nancy and two brothers, John and Charles. Her sister, Barbara, lives presently in Seattle, Washington. Mary is survived by her husband of 51 years, David Pigot; her son Jason (Shawna); daughter Toni; and grandson William, and many nieces and nephews on the McMurray side. Surviving on the Pigot side, are sister-in-law Patsy MacNeil, (Peter) and nieces and nephews. Mary requested a gathering of family and friends to celebrate her life, instead of a funeral. When the ashes have settled we will plan a gathering to raise a glass, toast her past and wish her well in the near future. We must thank the staff on 8.1 of the QE11, especially the palliative care staff who performed beautifully in the final 3 days and nights of Mary’s troubles. For online condolences please visit www.serenitylindsayfuneralhome.ca