Margaret Budd, a church organist and teacher who founded the Community Concerts at Second series, died of heart failure Sept. 22 at Roland Park Place. She was 94.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, she was the daughter of Everett Lothrop and Marguerite James. As a child, she enrolled in Northwestern University’s prep department, and after skipping kindergarten and playing viola and violin in grade school, she became serious about the piano, going on to Oberlin Conservatory in 1947.

While at Oberlin, she met her future husband, Leslie Budd Jr. They married in 1950.

She earned degrees at Northwestern University. Although she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Europe, she declined it, raised a family and taught hundreds of piano and organ students.

“My mother’s life was centered on family, music, faith and community. She had a command of the organ that inspired many to join voices in worship weekly. She welcomed them to the service with her vast repertoire, from Bach to Messiaen,” said her son, Steven W. Budd. “She could conclude the service with a burst of joy.”

After playing at Glenview Community Church in Illinois, she moved to Baltimore in 1972. She became organist at Second Presbyterian Church in Guilford and held the post for 30 years. From 2007 to 2017 she was church musician at Roland Park Presbyterian Church.

“Margaret was a fantastic teacher and she loved Bach particularly. She was born with enthusiasm for her music and that’s what she communicated so well,” said the Rev. Ernest Smart, a former Second Presbyterian pastor.

“She was never too busy to let a child come up and try the organ,” said Joyce Zimmerman, a friend and church member.

In 1987 Mrs. Budd founded and managed the Second Presbyterian Concert Series, renamed Community Concerts at Second in 2002. It is now in its 38th season.

“She was the person you wanted to be your mother. She was artistic, smart, caring,” said David Storey, a former student and organ technician. “She was a stately person who could light up a room.”

In 1988 she toured Europe and performed at the International Church Music Conference in Geneva. She later played at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, where composer J.S. Bach performed. She accompanied the Second Presbyterian choir to England in 1994 and was organist-in-residence for a week at Gloucester Cathedral.

She was a past dean of the American Guild of Organists’ Baltimore Chapter.

She recorded a CD on Second Presbyterian’s Casavant organ in 1996.

In 2006, Tim Smith, Baltimore Sun music critic, described her as “one of the shining lights of Baltimore’s cultural life.”

Mrs. Budd was a devotee of Scrabble, Sudoku, double solitaire, Roger Federer and the Orioles.

A memorial celebration will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 23 at Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 Saint Paul St.

Survivors include four sons, David R. Budd and Lawrence R. Budd, both of Baltimore; Dr. James L. Budd of Rochester, New York; and Steven W. Budd, of Brewster, New York; a daughter, Nancy Budd Culpepper, of Baltimore; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 2000.