Marilynne Jost-Van Ness

Marilynne Jost-Van Ness of Oakton,VA died peacefully June 11, 2023 following a long illness. Marilynne was born to Michael and Mildred O’Malia in St Louis, Missouri. With her father at war and mother unable to care for her, she was adopted by Milton and Dorothy Jost.

At a very young age, the Josts discovered and supported Marilynne’s musical talents. At the age of 9, she began playing weekly radio performances for St. Louis radio stations. She won the nine-foot concert grand that remained in her living room at the age of 14 in a radio contest playing the Italian Concerto, first movement, by J.S. Bach. She made her debut with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 16, playing Piano Concerto, K.466, by W.A. Mozart.

Marilynne was an alum of the music department at Washington University in St. Louis, where she attended on a full scholarship studying with William Schatzkamer. She was a member of Mu Phi Episilon, National Music Honor Society and a member of Alpha Zi Delta sorority.

In 1961 she married and moved to Washington, DC where she continued performing and established her private music studio. That marriage produced two daughters, Suzanne and Jacquelynn, but ended in divorce. She found love again and later married William (Bill) Van Ness and had daughter, Deborah.

Marilynne taught piano for 63 years, inspiring hundreds of students. More than anything in life, she was a pianist and teacher. It was what she loved doing and what gave her life purpose. She could not imagine a life without teaching.

Marilynne was a past president and long-standing member of Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association (NVMTA), a past president and past member of the DC Federation of Music Clubs and a teacher and adjudicator of the American College of Musicians/National Piano Teachers Guild.

In addition to her long music career, in the 1980s she and Bill owned Miniatures from the Attic where she built dollhouses and miniature furniture.

The family wishes to thank her dialysis nurses Archie and Mekonnen for their compassionate care and support throughout her illness.

She is predeceased by Milton and Dorothy Jost (adoptive parents), Michael and Ruth O’Malia (father & step mother), Mildred O’Malia (mother), and husband William VanNess.

Marilynne is survived by her three daughters: Suzanne, Jacquelynn (Lin), Deborah (JJ); five grandsons and one great grandson; Tingting and her family of China; cousins and their families; a host of friends from across her lifespan, many beloved students and her latest puppies.

Per her wishes, a musical celebration of her life will be held Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 2 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax in the Sanctuary 2709 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA. Marilynne requested “bright colors and lots of flowers” and laughter.

If inclined, donations can be made in Marilynne’s name to: The Federation Spring Festival of NVMTA. Checks should be made out to NVMTA and mailed to Sarah Munro, 2306 Sawtooth Oak Court, Vienna, VA 22182.