Linden McIlvaine obituary

Clarence Linden McIlvaine, developed musical liturgy

April 10, 2020

Clarence Linden McIlvaine, 84, of Tampa, Fla., passed away peacefully Thursday, March 26, 2020, after a long battle with cancer.  Clarence, who went by Linden, was born, raised and attended school in Georgetown.  After graduating high school in Sussex County, he attended Lebanon College where he was awarded his bachelor of science degree in music education.  This is also where he met his beautiful wife, Beverly Ann Weaver.

Linden undertook employment as a choral music teacher, employed by Prince George’s County Public Schools in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.  Over his 40-year career, Linden ascended to become the supervisor of vocal music for the county, and was recognized nationally for his curriculum development.

At the same time, Linden pursued his interest in sacred music, becoming a certified choral director within the United Methodist Church, serving in churches in the greater Washington, D.C. area.  Recognized for his talent, he was elected and served two terms as president of the Baltimore/Washington Regional Fellowship of United Methodist Musicians in Worship, Music and the Arts.  Working with adult, teen and children’s choirs, Linden was also recognized for his skills in developing musical liturgy, delivering God’s message through the musical talents of all of God’s children, young and old.

Retiring in 1998, he and Beverly left Washington, D.C., moving to Avon Park, Fla., where he helped to create the Highland Ridge Chorale, a community singing group that he directed for numerous years.  Twenty years later, the Highland Ridge Chorale still performs in the greater Avon Park area.

In 2013, Linden and Beverly moved to Tampa.

Linden spent his life mentoring others while always seeking to become a better mentor.  He repeatedly served as a volunteer adjudicator for county and state music festivals, and completed numerous graduate and professional advancement classes at the University of Maryland and through various professional and religious organizations.

He will be remembered for his faith, compassion and sense of humor.  He loved to tease and play little tricks on his friends.  He also enjoyed traveling and seeing new places, experiencing the broad world around him.

His hobbies included gardening with the goal of having something in bloom during each season.  He also enjoyed bird watching and spent time watching and identifying the many kinds of birds that visited his birdbath, bird feeder, or the trees and bushes around his home and on his travels.

Linden is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beverly McIlvaine of Tampa; his son Brad McIlvaine and wife Meg Page and daughter Riley McIlvaine of Rockville, Md.; and his brother Marvin McIlvaine and wife Jan McIlvaine of Salisbury Md.; other family, and numerous friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Hyde Park United Methodist Church, Attn Linden McIlvaine Memorial, 500 West Platt St., Tampa, FL 33606

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