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Edna Lu McQuaid Jennings - 7/10/2005

Class of 1950

ST. GEORGE - Edna Lu Jennings, 72, passed away Sunday, July 10, 2005, from complications of cancer and diabetes. She was at her home, in St. George, surrounded by her family. Lu was born September 12, 1932, in St. George, Utah, to Juanita Seegmiller, and Clyde Albert McQuaid. She married Richard Carl Jennings, August 22, 1950, in the St. George L.D.S. Temple.

Her musical accomplishments were numerous. She started piano lessons with her aunt, Winnie Seegmiller, at age 13. She excelled very quickly and within two years she was studying with Mr. Carlyle Marsden at Dixie College. At that time, Lu was accompanying choirs at the high school and the college. She gave her first solo recital at age 16. Dr. Blaine Johnson, also of Dixie College, mentored her in conducting and accompanying. She attributed her love of Johann Sebastian Bach to these two great teachers. Lu studied under some of the world's greatest organists, to include Dr. Sterling Wheelwright, of San Francisco State University, Charles McKinney, of San Francisco, Dr. Keith Chapman, of Philadelphia, Mr. Christopher Giles, and her greatest teacher and close friend, Dr. James Welch, of Stanford University.

In 1967, Lu and Richard moved to Atherton, California, where she would be able to study, and Richard began practicing dentistry and also teaching at U.C. Medical Center.

They moved back to St. George in 1979, where Lu began teaching at Dixie College, and was a member of the music faculty for 18 years. She was the founder of the "Dixie College Concert Organ Series." She was a charter member and past Dean of the "American Guild of Organists," St. George/Cedar Chapter. Lu and Mr. Robert Douglas, founded the St. George Bach Festival in 1997. She also served as president of the "Southwest Guild for the Performing Arts," and instigated the "Homes for the Holidays" fundraiser. She founded the "Dixie College Piano Ensemble." She was a member of the Southwest Symphony for five years as the pianist.

Lu was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was unwavering in her faith. She held many musical and other positions in her Church.

She is survived by her: children, Jeffery McQuaid (Lori), Bradley Richard (Kris), Thaddeus Clyde (Gayle), Robert Alpine (Lisa), Julie Anne (Darren) Imlay, James Marshall (Heather); 28 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Helen Jennings Duff and Annie McArthur Jennings. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and her parents, Clyde and Nita McQuaid.

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