Gordy and Marty's Journey

The story of Gordon (“Gordy”) Everest and his beloved wife Marty is a story that embodies the importance of this work. It’s not just a story about dementia — it’s a story about love, resilience, community, and the transformative power of singing together.

An Unexpected Diagnosis

Marty was first diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in 2011—but not in the way most people find out. While switching primary care providers, Marty’s medical records were mistakenly sent to her daughter. That’s when the family discovered that Marty had actually suffered a stroke back in 2008—something that had never been known. 

Concerned but not entirely surprised, the family—Gordy and their five children—arranged a full neurological evaluation. Looking back, there had already been signs: fender benders, forgetfulness, misplaced items. The diagnosis simply confirmed what they were beginning to suspect. 

They left the clinic with armfuls of pamphlets and brochures, and instead of shrinking from the news, they dove headfirst into the dementia support community. 

Finding Community Through Music

One of the early programs they joined was a weekly group at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in St. Paul, Minnesota. There, they met others navigating the same journey and heard from guest speakers, including a representative from the Alzheimer’s Association of the Upper Midwest. It was that connection that led them to a local Meetup group—a gathering of individuals and caregivers looking for joy, support, and purpose in the midst of memory loss. 

In April 2014, at one of those Meetup gatherings held at the Walker Art Center, two visitors—Marge Ostroushko and Mary Lenard—shared a powerful vision: to start a choir for people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. A space where everyone, regardless of memory or musical skill, could lift their voice and be heard. The group spent the entire session brainstorming ideas. One phrase kept coming up again and again: “Giving Voice.” 

For Gordy and Marty, this wasn’t just an idea—they were all in. Gordy, a lifelong barbershop singer and former business manager of the University of Pennsylvania Mixed Chorus, knew the joy music could bring. The idea of combining that joy with community and support for those living with memory loss was irresistible. 

They joined the very first Giving Voice Chorus rehearsal in the fall of 2014. Thirty people showed up—twenty of them from that original Meetup group. It didn’t take long for the numbers to grow: the next spring, there were 60 participants, then 85, eventually forming two separate choir groups. 

Gordy and Marty at the very first Giving Voice Chorus in Minneapolis in partnership with MacPhail Center for Music.

More Than Just Rehearsals

Gordy brought more than just his voice to Giving Voice—he brought important ideas and values. Drawing on his barbershop experience, he suggested the idea of “afterglows”—informal gatherings post-performance where singers could unwind, sing a few extra songs, and connect on a deeper level. These post-performance gatherings became crucial for allowing the group to reflect and offer feedback for the following semester. 

While the choir quickly became a beloved part of their weekly routine, it held special meaning for Marty. Diagnosed, adjusting to assisted living, and no longer able to drive, Marty found in Giving Voice a safe and welcoming space. Even on days she felt down or uncertain, Gordy would gently encourage her to attend. By the end of rehearsal, she would be glowing. 

“She would just come alive,” Gordy recalls. “She wouldn’t always remember that feeling the next week, but we rarely missed a rehearsal.”

Marty never learned to read music—she learned everything by ear, or “by rote.” But her passion for singing was undeniable. She and Gordy harmonized together in the car, singing soprano parts side by side. Her longtime singing partner in the choir was Mary Margaret, who attended with her husband Ken, a former professional basketball player living with dementia. 

Marty always stood in the front row during performances. She was expressive, emotional, and fully present—especially during concerts. At one unforgettable performance at the Ordway, the cameras zoomed in on her during a song, capturing the essence of what Giving Voice is all about: dignity, joy, and emotional connection through music. 

A Legacy in Song

Marty passed on in 2021, and as Gordy shares, in the faith she held close, "she is now with her maker." Her spirit will continue to live on in every note sung by the Giving Voice Chorus. For years, she found joy, purpose, and connection in the music—and in the people who surrounded her with love and understanding.

Gordy, 2025, at the Giving Voice Conference, continuing to participate, support, and advance the mission of this work so as many people as possible can experience the love, connection, and joy that he and Marty did.