Faces of Bethesda: Marybel Cova

As a longtime rock climber and piano player, Bethesda Gardens resident Marybel Cova is clearly a woman of diverse talents. She began rock climbing at the age of 57, proving that it’s never too late to learn a new skill.

“My husband had been climbing for a few years, and from the beginning, I belayed for him, meaning I was on the ground and had control of the rope, ensuring his safety,” says Marybel. “It took me a little longer to get into it, but once I did, I was hooked. If there was climbing to be done, we did it!”

Marybel and her husband traveled near and far, always looking for their next rock climbing challenge. The couple has climbed throughout the United States, as well as a few choice climbing areas in Italy and three provinces in Canada.

“One of my favorite places I have ever climbed is at Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin,” she says. “It was the very first place I truly climbed, and we returned many times after that because we both loved it so much.”

After her outdoor climbing days ended, Marybel shifted to indoor rock climbing, which she continued to enjoy until 2019 at the age of 87. Now, Marybel dedicates her time to other hobbies like piano playing.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Bethesda senior living activities team at Bethesda Gardens could no longer safely invite musical guests into the community, so they turned to the residents to find in-house talent. A lifelong piano player, Marybel began playing twice a month for her fellow residents.

“I really love to play for my friends here at Gardens,” she says. “Each one of my concerts has a theme depending on the time of year or upcoming holidays. I come from a family of musicians and have been playing the piano since I was 7 years old, so getting to continue a beloved hobby of mine in front of my friends is an honor.”

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