The Silent Organ

The Trivett family migrated west from Ontario, Canada, in 1908. They settled on a homestead in Saskatchewan.

Mary Trivett was a hearty farm wife and mother of five children who was never too busy to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need.

She had been a devoted member of the Salvation Army for most of her adult life and she carried on their charitable doctrine despite the fact there was no branch near where her family now lived.

She opened her home to the poor and homeless. Her kindness became renowned in the area. During World War l she doubled her time and efforts to help all who were in need.

The local United Church, which Mary was a member of, supported her charitable endeavors.

One afternoon Mary confided in the church organist, a man by the name of Walter that she loved his music but that she missed the enthusiastic sound the Salvation Army’s drums and tambourines made.

She told him that when she passed she did not want organ music at her funeral for she felt it was too somber—she wanted something upbeat instead.

By 1928, the year Mary Trivett passed away, Walter had forgotten about her wish not to have an organ music at her funeral.

He practiced several favorite hymns to play for her family and friends. The day of the funeral, Walter sat at the United Church’s pump organ and began to play but, o sound came from the instrument.

He checked the organ but found nothing wrong with it. He tried to play his first selection again, but once more, there was no sound. He pumped the pedals and tried a variety of keys, but the organ remained mute.

He finally gave up and Mary’s funeral continued without musical accompaniment.

After the burial, Walter returned to the church. With the first note he struck, the church was filled with organ music. The organ now played as it had while he had practiced the day before.

Confused, Walter wondered what had happened during the funeral—suddenly he remembered Mary’s wish from years earlier—it now made sense.

Mary had gotten her last wish—she had not wanted organ music—and her spirit had made sure there had been no organ music.

So the organ had honored. Mary’s wish, even though Walter had forgotten.

Assiniboia and District Museum

Today this pump organ is fully restored, and Assiniboia’s District Historical Society displays it in their museum. This old organ has been preserved because of the story above.