Honoring Marguerite Echaus

The highest memorial honors were given the late Marguerite M. Echaus, eminent pianist-pedagogue of the Vancouver Academy of Music and valued member of the music community. Daughter of Gilda Macaraig and the late Ramon Echaus, Marguerite, 52, succumbed to cancer a few months ago in Manila.

With great respect, the Vancouver Registered Music Teachers’ Association offers this brief biography of “a dedicated teacher and a wonderful person”.

Marguerite began her music studies at age six at St. Scholastica’s College, Manila. Through the years, she received much encouragement from her professors and eventually pursued her interests in the USA, Canada and Switzerland. Her impressive resumé includes a Bachelor in Music in Piano Performance (magna cum laude) from the Catholic U. of America (Washington, DC), a Master of Music Education from Holy Name College (Oakland, California), a Certificate (for academic excellence), a listing on the Pi Kappa Lambda (National Honor Society for Musicians) and the National Dean’s List Publications. She also performed in solo and collaborative recitals in the Philippines and Vancouver, in addition to her many academic excellencies.

Marguerite was an enthusiastic and generous teacher, thoroughly trained in piano pedagogy and also in Suzuki Piano, Yamaha Group Piano, Orff and Kodaly methods as well; she headed the Orff department at the Vancouver Academy for many years. To complement her teaching, Marguerite volunteered with the Vancouver Registered Music Teachers’ Branch Executive. Over two decades, she served in various roles, e.g. as Secretary, Treasurer and Chairperson.

Marguerite was always cheerful, professional and thorough in her duties, and she could be counted on in difficulties. She gave much to our community and will be sorely missed.

These tributes are from some colleagues, students and their parents.

“Marguerite’s dedication and love of music inspired all who knew her. She instilled in me the desire to become a better person and teacher./ Miss Marguerite was a gift to all who knew her. Her kindness, generosity and dedication will always be remembered./ I am thankful to God for Marguerite’s life./ Over the years, she became more than just my piano teacher; she was someone I looked up to as I grew up . . . playing a big role in who I am today. She was proud of my achievements as student and aspiring teacher. I would not have been able to do this without her./ She set a high standard with my children in punctuality, perseverance, commitment and effort.”

Teresa Ho, head of the Suzuki Piano Department, writes in part: “In July, Marguerite was diagnosed with cancer. She was well taken care of by her loving mother Gilda Echaus, brother Raymond and sister Maria Gilda. Her hope for fighting the terrible disease was to reunite with students and friends. She was overwhelmed by their support, receiving flowers, fruit baskets, letters, email and even a cheque towards her plane ticket back to Vancouver.

“During my last phone conversation with her, she expressed her gratitude to all: faculty members, students, parents and friends, saying: ‘The post office is not around the corner like in Vancouver. Please thank them for me.’”

Teresa Ho’s tribute begins thus: “It is almost impossible to speak of my dear friend Marguerite in the past tense. When I see her handwriting on the music, I hear her voice. When I take a break in the faculty lounge, I see her cheerful face. When I close my eyes, I see her smile.”

There was a large turnout at the mass followed by a reception in honor of Marguerite. The poem on the invitation was written by Marguerite’s friend and colleague Joan D. Hurst whose daughter Chloe sang beautifully during the mass. Chloe was Marguerite’s student until she switched to vocal studies.

Hurst’s poem follows: “You meant more to us than words could ever say. You were our friend. You shared your love for humanity; expressed loyalty and unselfishness. You were our daughter. A light from our household is gone; a voice we loved is stilled. You were our sister.

“Your bright eyes and cheerfulness will forever soothe our souls. You were our aunt. You devoted your life to us through your love of music. You were our teacher. Our eyes will never see you, but you are in our hearts forever. You are our angel.”