Marian Henderson, 98, has been playing the piano for 92 years, and enjoys taking her years of experience to area long-term care facilities. Her son, Craig Henderson of Muscatine, said his mother doesn’t need sheet music anymore. "She plays totally by ear," said Craig. Photo: Beth Van Zandt/Muscatine Journal

MUSCATINE, Iowa — Marian Henderson was once a one-woman soundtrack for some of the most popular motion pictures of her day.

Today, at age 98, she still shares her music with audiences who can watch her nimble fingers dance across the keys.

Henderson grew up in West Liberty, the daughter of Edith Othella Smith Tharp and Fred G. Tharp. She began taking piano lessons when she was 6-years-old.

 When she was 16, she began playing for the silent movies that were shown at the high school in neighboring West Branch.

On Tuesday, she recalled the time she began playing the affectionate strains of the Roaring ‘20’s hit, “Baby Face,” as the Phantom in the classic movie, “Phantom of the Opera,” descended the steps to the tower in one of that movie’s most dramatic moments.

“Everyone started laughing,” she said.

Henderson also enjoyed playing for the Boys’ Club in West Branch and singing for the girls glee club.

After graduating from West Liberty High School in 1929, Henderson had many jobs.

Her son, Craig Henderson of Muscatine, said his mother operated the telephone switch board in Wilton in the late 1940s or  and early 1950s and then  taught in the one-room schoolhouses in the counties of Cedar and Muscatine counties.

She spent the greater portion of her life as the wife of farmer Francis Henderson on their farm near Wilton.

They had been married nearly 40 years when he died in 1972.

Her daughter, Patricia Smith, and Patricia’s husband, Alan, live in Wilton. Son Craig Henderson and his wife, Diane, live near Muscatine.

She has nine grandchildren.

Craig said his mother continued working for many years after Francis died, including a stint as a continuity writer for Muscatine’s KWPC radio station.

Longevity runs in Marian’s family, said Craig, she had a grandmother and aunt who both lived to be 100 and her father was 93 when he died.

Henderson moved to the Carrington Place residential center a year ago.

Last January she met up with musician Chris Foss  who heads up the Gospel Jam, a group of local musicians and singers who entertain at area long-term care facilities on Tuesday nights.

“I didn’t get through two songs before she marched right up there,” said Foss. “I was standing in front of the piano and he said ‘Move over, I’m going to play.”

Chris’ wife, Melanie Foss, said her husband was impressed by Henderson’s talent.

The Gospel Jam group didn’t have a piano player and recruited Henderson for the part.

She joins them on Tuesdays at several Muscatine residential facilities such as the Clark House and Towers senior apartments, Lutheran Homes and Carrington Place.

“It’s all volunteer work, and the people we play for enjoy it,” said Henderson.

Area audiences can hear Henderson play at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Bloomington-Muscatine Friends Church, 2698 180th St., Muscatine.

Melanie Foss said the musical evening will include old-time gospel music by the Musical Hammers Family Trio, Just 4 Fun and the gospel jam group.

“It’s going to be quite a musical program,” said Henderson. “The admission is $5, but I don’t have to pay!”