Mary Wilhelmina Braun

Mary Wilhelmina Braun, 88 of Springdale passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Shiloh Health and Rehab. Born September 13, 1925 in Springdale to Percy and Josephine Berry Braun. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Rafael Braun and Josef “Buddy” Braun. Mary was the youngest of the three children. She became an accomplished pianist and harpist. She followed her mother’s footsteps as a music teacher, and began giving piano lessons while in her teens. In 1948, Mary was a featured performer at a Christmas party hosted by the Springdale Women’s Civic Club. In the audience was Roberta Fulbright, publisher of the Northwest Arkansas Times. Afterwards, Fulbright wrote in her editorial column, “High on the program was Mary Braun, harpist, daughter of Mrs. Percy Braun and the late Percy Braun, who concluded her playing with “Silent Night” so beautifully that the very essence of Christmas spirit `was left in our souls.” Mary studied under the French-born Carlos Salzedo, a virtuoso harpist and composer who was the first harpist for the Metropolitan Opera and founder of the Summer Harp Colony of America in Camden, Maine. She continued to give piano lessons at the Berry-Braun home into the 1980’s currently The Magnolia Gardens Inn. In the early 1900’s Millard Berry served as Springdale Mayor and Washington County Judge, spearheading the construction of the historic Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville. Percy Braun was a Springdale pharmacist and founder of the Northwest Arkansas Symphony. In the past several years, many of the family heirlooms have been donated to the Shiloh Museum. Mary was a member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Springdale. Graveside services will be Friday, September 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale with Father John Connell officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, from 4 to 6pm at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale. A Rosary will follow at 6pm. Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Arkansas 72762 or St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, 1386 S. West End Street, Springdale, Arkansas 72764. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com

Mary Wilhelmina Braun

September 13, 1925 - September 10, 2014