NEW YORK, N.Y. and MILLINOCKET – Maryann Theresa Arnold, 72, died May 12, 2005, at a New York City hospital after a brief, courageous battle with cancer. Born Nov. 27, 1932, in Augusta, Maryann was the only child of Fred H. and Theresa “Tut” (Pinette) Arnold. At age six, Maryann demonstrated extraordinary talent from the very first day of piano lessons with the nuns at St. Martin’s convent in Millinocket she returned home and played an entire song from memory. Throughout her school career, this musical ability was nurtured, and townspeople knew that the vivacious redhead could be counted on to coax sweet music from a piano, from classical pieces to swinging jazz. After graduating from Stearns High School in 1950, Maryann moved to New York City. She attended Mannes School of Music for a brief time, until a classical piano instructor said to her, Why are you wasting time here when you’re such a natural jazz player? Maryann took the teacher’s advice and started playing in New York jazz venues of the day, notably the Hickory House. Famed pianist Marian McPartland, who understood the challenges of being a woman in a predominantly male field, took Maryann under her wing. The culmination of Maryann’s musical career came in 1966, when she joined the cast of a new Broadway musical, Cabaret. As part of the four-piece, all-female Kit Kat Band, Maryann sat front and center onstage, playing a pink piano. She stayed with the acclaimed musical throughout its 1166 performances as well as two summers of shows on the road. She also appeared on television: The Ed Sullivan Show, the 1967 Tony Awards telecast, I’ve Got a Secret, and Liza With a “Z”, among others. in 1974, Maryann switched gears, joining a public-relations agency in New York, Manning, Selvage and Lee. For 27 years, Maryann was a valued employee, rising to the position of Executive Assistant. She worked with numerous agency clients in industry and health care. In 2001, she retired. She was predeceased by her parents. Maryann is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Sean and Manuela Burns of Bayonne, N.J.; her daughter and son-in-law, Nessa and Peter Reifsnyder of Mount Desert; and five grandchildren, Zoe, Willis, Lydia, and Desmond Reifsnyder, and Sophia Burns. As a single parent, Maryann was tireless, loving, and devoted. She shared her love of jazz and great respect for creativity with her family. Additionally, a community of beloved friends nationwide will never forget her. Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 16, at R. L. Bouchard Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2005, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Burial will be in Millinocket Cemetery. For online register book, please visit www.bouchardfh.com.
MARYANN THERESA ARNOLD
