Marybrent Debes Debth

September 4, 1948 – January 4, 2025

Marybrent Debes Debth, a brilliant musician, dedicated teacher, and beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family. Born on September 4, 1948, in Rockford, Illinois, Brent’s life was a symphony of love, music, teaching and service. Raised in a home enriched by her mother’s passion for theatre and the arts and her father’s talent as a self-taught pianist and singer, Brent’s lifelong love for music and the arts was nurtured from the very beginning. She shared a deep and enduring bond with her sisters, Cheryl and Robin, who were her lifelong friends and confidantes.

A Life of Music

Music was woven into the fabric of Brent's childhood. Her mother’s work in the theatre inspired a love for performance, while her father’s piano playing and singing filled their home with warmth and melody. Brent grew up playing violin alongside her older sister Cheryl, a cellist, and her younger sister Robin, a singer, creating a harmonious family atmosphere where creativity thrived. Together, the sisters inspired and supported each other, fostering Brent’s exceptional musical talents.

Brent’s perfect pitch and natural ability made her stand out early. She could detect a wrong note from anywhere in the house, a skill her students would later admire. Her talent led her to the Chicago Youth Symphony, where she served as the concert mistress, a role that showcased her remarkable skill and leadership.

Brent pursued her musical education at Northwestern University and Boston University before earning her graduate degree from Yale University. It was there she met her husband, Jim, a talented trumpeter. Together, they performed across Europe and the United States, sharing their passion for classical music with audiences worldwide.

After settling in Iowa, Brent became a vital member of the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra (CRSO), where she performed as Principal Second Violinist until her retirement in 2009. Her artistry, precision, and dedication left an indelible mark on the orchestra and her community. She was a member of the chamber orchestra, opera orchestra, quartet and many other performing engagements including in the pit at several productions at both TCR and the Paramount.

Brent also passed her love of music to her sons, often gathering as a family around the piano to sing throughout their childhood. These cherished moments influenced their lives, filling them with a deep appreciation for music. Brent personally taught her sons their first audition pieces, including "Where is Love" from the musical Oliver, a role that Trevor later performed at Theatre Cedar Rapids. Her guidance and encouragement ensured that music would remain an integral part of their lives.

A Teaching Legacy That Endures

Brent often said that her greatest professional accomplishment was her teaching career. For more than five decades, she taught piano and violin to students of all ages and skill levels, from wide-eyed beginners to accomplished young musicians. Her teaching was not just a job but a calling, and her students became an extended family.

Brent believed that music had the power to enrich every aspect of life, and she made it her mission to instill that belief in her students. Through her patient guidance and inspiring mentorship, she taught not just technique but also a deep appreciation for the beauty and joy of music. She often encouraged her students to add a subtle yet elegant lift of the bow at the end of a piece—a signature flourish that embodied her emphasis on artistry and individuality. “Bows up.”

Her influence went far beyond the music studio. For decades, Brent sent hundreds of her violin and viola students to be members of the Iowa All-State Orchestra, a remarkable achievement that highlighted her dedication to excellence in teaching. It was not uncommon for her to send 10 or more students each year, a testament to the caliber of her instruction and the passion she instilled in her students. Her ability to inspire and nurture talent ensured that her students were not only technically proficient but also artistically expressive.

Many of her students, though they pursued varied careers, carried with them a lifelong passion for music, crediting Brent for teaching them not only to play but to love music. For others, her mentorship inspired professional careers in music, from teaching to performance. Her students often spoke of the confidence and discipline they gained under her guidance, lessons that extended well beyond the practice room.

Brent’s teaching legacy is further enriched by the fact that she taught multiple generations within families. Many parents who had been her students brought their own children—and even grandchildren—back to her studio, a testament to the profound and lasting impact she had on their lives.

Her teaching career continued until 2021, when her health began to decline. Even then, her students and their accomplishments remained a source of immense pride and joy.

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A Devoted Mother

Raising her two boys, Trent and Trevor, was the greatest accomplishment of Brent’s life. She took immense pride in their achievements and would often recount their many accomplishments with joy and admiration. Whether it was their academic successes, theatrical performances, athletic accolades or personal milestones, Brent celebrated each moment with boundless enthusiasm.

Her home was a testament to her love and pride for her family. Every room was adorned with pictures of her boys and their families, capturing cherished memories and milestones. No matter where you stood in her house, you could see the love and pride she held for her family reflected in the photographs that surrounded her.

Brent’s love extended to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whose milestones she celebrated with equal fervor. She cherished the legacy of family that she built and found profound joy in them all.

Grounded by Faith

Brent’s Christian faith was the foundation of her life, guiding her through its many joys and challenges. Her deep and abiding faith in God gave her strength, resilience, and peace. She often spoke of her gratitude for the blessings in her life and her confidence in the promise of God’s salvation.

One of her favorite moments in the last year of her life was saying bedtime prayers with her granddaughter, Hazel. These precious moments brought Brent great joy and a sense of fulfillment as she passed the gift of faith on to the next generation. She found immense comfort in knowing that Hazel and the rest of her family were anchored in the same faith that sustained her throughout her life.

A Cherished Sister

Brent’s close bond with her sisters Cheryl and Robin was one of the most meaningful aspects of her life. They shared a unique sisterhood defined by unwavering support, heartfelt conversations, and an unbreakable connection. From their early years spent laughing and playing together to their adulthood filled with shared memories, their bond was a source of immense comfort and joy.

Even as they grew older and lived apart, the sisters prioritized their relationship through nightly Facetime calls, during which they recounted the small moments and significant events of their lives. These calls were a ritual that kept their connection strong, no matter the distance.

Brent found great strength in Cheryl’s calming presence and Robin’s vibrant energy. Together, they formed a trio bound not only by family ties but by a deep, mutual respect and love for one another. Their closeness was an inspiration to their families and a testament to the power of sisterhood. Brent’s cherished memories with her sisters, filled with laughter, support, and love, remained a cornerstone of her life.

A Love for Cedar Rapids

Although Brent grew up in Rockford, Illinois, and spent her final years in Decatur, Texas, she always considered Cedar Rapids, Iowa, her true home. It was in Cedar Rapids that she built a life of purpose and community, dedicating herself to its people and cultural vibrancy. She loved the city deeply, finding joy and fulfillment in its warmth and sense of togetherness.

The Cedar Rapids community embraced Brent’s talents and contributions, and in return, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to its enrichment. From her years with the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra to her involvement with local theater productions and community events, Brent left an indelible mark on the city she cherished. Her legacy is woven into the fabric of Cedar Rapids, a place she held close to her heart throughout her life.

A Leader in the Community

Brent’s commitment to her community extended to her active membership in the Cedar Rapids West Rotary Club until 2014. Her service and dedication were recognized with the Paul Harris Fellow award, an honor that reflected her significant contributions to the Rotary’s mission.

A Life of Strength and Grace

In 2021, Brent faced the challenges of Lewy Body Parkinson’s with resilience and grace. Even as her health declined, her love for music, her family, and her students remained unwavering, inspiring all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life

Brent is lovingly remembered by her husband, Jim; her devoted sons, Trent and his wife Jana, and Trevor and his wife Jennifer; her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought her endless joy; her beloved sisters, Cheryl and Robin, along with Robin's husband, Stephen; her nieces, Whitney and Lio Tipton, and her nephew, Pier Debes; her sister-in-law, Judy Johnson, and her husband, Allan. She also leaves behind countless students, friends, and colleagues whose lives she profoundly touched and enriched.

Brent’s Facebook page has been memorialized, and her family encourages everyone who knew her to visit the page to share photos, stories, and memories. This virtual space serves as a tribute to her extraordinary legacy, allowing her love and influence to continue to resonate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, supporting advancements in treatment and honoring Brent’s memory:

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

P.O. Box 5014

Hagerstown, MD 21741 US

[https://www.michaeljfox.org](…

Legacy

Marybrent Debes Debth’s life was a masterpiece of music, love, and service. Her contributions as a musician, teacher, and community leader enriched countless lives. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy will continue to resonate in the hearts of her family, students, and all who were fortunate to know her.  

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