Background
McCleary, Mary Gilkeson was born on August 17, 1920 in Sellersville, Pennsylvania, United States. Daughter of Adlai Howard Gilkeson and Katharine Neidig (Kooker) Ziegenfuss.
choir director church organist
McCleary, Mary Gilkeson was born on August 17, 1920 in Sellersville, Pennsylvania, United States. Daughter of Adlai Howard Gilkeson and Katharine Neidig (Kooker) Ziegenfuss.
Bachelor of Music, Westminster Choir College, 1941. Organist, director Saint Paul"s Reformed Church, Sellersville, 1938-1941, The Congregational Church, Naugatuck, Connecticut, 1941-1944, 45-51, 60-71, 77-83, 85, 90-95. Organist Congregational Church, Painesville, Ohio, 1957-1958.
Organist, director First Baptist Church, Waterbury, Connecticut, 1974-1977.
Organist, director United Church of Christ, Southbury, Connecticut, 1986-1990. Retired, 1990; teacher piano and organ, Naugatuck, 1941-1956, 58-77, organist, director First Congressional Church, Watertown, Connecticut, since 1996, director Naugabury Ringers, since 1996.
Certified clinician and massed ringing conductor English Handbells, 1988.
Composer compositions for handbells: Fanfare for Bells, 1972, Toccata in A Minor, 1976 (1st prize American Guild English Handbell Ringers), Rejoice and Be Glad 1st Prize, Area V, 1986.
Member American Guild Organists (dean Waterbury chapter 1968-1970), American Guild English Handbell Ringers, Incorporated. (chairman Area I 1972-1976, president 1979-1981, honorary life. Club: Women"s Study (president 1955-1956, correspondent secretary 1985, Naugatuck).
Married Charles David McCleary, August 29, 1942. Children: Katharine Elizabeth McCleary Jacobi, Anne Forsythe, Charles Albert, Robert Steele.