'Miss Marilyn' Sendoff Celebrates Lower Makefield Twp. Teacher

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA —They called her "Miss Marilyn."

And for a quarter century, Marilyn Schwartz —known in the community as "Miss Marilyn" from Kids Music Round, has been introducing and teaching music to children from Lower Makefield Township and surrounding communities for more than 25 years.

Schwartz announced her final class earlier this month, saying she was moving to Virginia. But that didn't stop the community from saying goodbye.

"Miss Marilyn has touched the lives of so many families for decades. A few former and current
parents and her daughters planned a community farewell party at her last class," said Dari Kotzker, who organized the event.

More than 150 people attended the June 3 event outside the Yardley-Makefield Fire Company Station 80 on Stony Hill Road, arriving in red —the favorite color of "Miss Marilyn" —to surprise Schwartz, who served as the director and co-author of the Kids’ Music Round curriculum, which brings the magic of music to early childhood.

There was a short presentation from the planning committee and state officials attended the sendoff, including Sen. Steve Santarsiero and state Rep. Perry Warren, who presented Schwartz with a citation from the state.

The event ended with a group photo with "Miss Marilyn" and all the families she has left a lifelong impression on along with one final “Goodbye Song.”

“'Miss Marilyn' has been a beloved figure in our community for a quarter century," said Warren, who presented citations from the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives to honor her years of service to the community.