Marie (Shaw) Wolpert

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Wolpert, Marie Shaw 89. Professional singer/ songwriter/ performer. Born October 7, 1925 in Chicago, Marie Wolpert, a long-time resident of Minneapolis and Palm Springs, CA, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, at N. C. Little Memorial Hospice in Edina. A talented singer, musician and performer, Marie Wolpert began her musical career in Chicago at the age of 14 playing the upright bass and singing with her family, The Shaw Family Orchestra. She continued to sing in nightclubs throughout the country-Club Alabam (Chicago, IL), Leon and Eddie's (New York City) and The Captain's Table (Los Angeles). At Paramount Studios, Marie was assistant choreographer and also acted in the 1952 film The Son of Paleface with Bob Hope and Jane Russell. Locally, Marie had a long run performing at the Panther Room in the old Minnesota Hotel and was a member of a satirical group, "The Intolerables" (along with WCCO news anchor Dave Moore). Her musical career included production of a record album, It Turns Me On, with original musical compositions by Marie and Paul Friedman, orchestrated and conducted by musician and composer Bill Barber. Marie also performed as Rose in Larry Whiteley's production of Gypsy at the Chimera Theatre in St. Paul and in Tales of Hoffman at the Jewish Community Center in Minneapolis. Later in her career, she studied voice with Marguerite Hedges at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN and at Eureka College, Eureka, Il with Joan Dornemann of the Metropolitan Opera, Boris Goldovsky of the Boston Orchestra, Professor John Wustman, University of Illinois and Estelle Spottiswood of London, England (a protege of Maggie Tyte). Marie also extended her talents and generosity to the community and philanthropies. She served as Auxiliary President of Variety Club of the Northwest, raising funds for the Jimmy Stewart Research Laboratories and children in need of heart surgery. As President of the Women's Auxiliary of the Minneapolis Musicians' Association, Marie contributed to "Musical Instruments for Kids Week," an instrument collection and donation drive to support music education in the Minneapolis Public Schools. She served on the boards and devoted time to numerous music and opera arts education organizations, including the Opera St. Paul and Twin Cities Opera Guild. She was the Metropolitan Opera National Council, Upper Midwest Regional Auditions' Awards Chairperson (MN) and a board member of Opera Arts and Virginia Waring International (Palm Springs, CA). Preceded in death by her husband, Newton Z.Wolpert, and son Michael Wolpert, Marie Shaw Wolpert is survived by her brother William Shaw of Chicago, IL, daughter Sara K. Wolpert, son William Wolpert (Raleigh) and grandson, Max Wolpert of Minnetonka, MN, as well as many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service for family and close friends will be held in early December. Marie requested memorial contributions be made to: Twin Cities Opera Guild, St. Paul, MN; Sabes Jewish Community Center, St. Louis Park, MN; Opera Arts, Palm Springs, CA; Virginia Waring International, Palm Springs.

Published on November 23, 2014