Cory Didriksen Lovelace Fund

Music has always been a part of the Didriksen family’s rhythm. From the sounds coming from a piano, to the cello, to the oboe and French horn; music brought a source of comfort and peace to Marty Didriksen and her daughter Cory Didriksen (Lovelace).

Marty’s aunt, Quincy native Martha McCrory was a professional cellist who founded the Martha McCrory Foundation in 1997 to encourage the study of music among young students. The McCrory Foundation was closed after Martha’s death but Marty saw the impact her aunt’s foundation had on young students who had a passion for music and Marty wanted that legacy to continue in one way or another.

“We’ve always believed in the arts,” said Marty. “We grew up with it. It was just part of our lives.”

Cory Didriksen began playing the oboe in 3rd grade and took part in the musical programs offered through the Quincy Public School system. She was a 1986 graduate of Quincy High School and a 1990 graduate of the University of Iowa. Cory loved her community and loved to give back in any way she could. She was a member of Friends in Council, Quincy Service League, The Women's Interdenominational Bible Study, First Union Congregational Church, Madison School and Baldwin School PTA and was also a room mother.  

After Cory’s untimely passing in 2006, Marty knew she wanted to do something to honor her daughter and keep her daughter’s name in the community in a positive light, as well as pay homage to her aunt’s previous foundation. That’s why, she says she decided to start the Cory Didriksen Lovelace Fund to support and enhance music and arts programming and education in Adams County.

 “It just makes me smile right now talking about it and doing something about it,” said Marty. “It lets Cory’s legacy live on as far as making it possible for children to get involved in music. At the end of 2020, it was something I wanted to do in Cory’s memory.”