Catharine Crozier, who pioneered the way for woman concert organists on the national and international stage, died in Portland on Friday at the age of 89. The cause of death was a stroke with complications from pneumonia. In a career that spanned 61 years, Crozier performed recitals throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, and played on the radio in many other countries. She was one of three organists to play the inaugural organ recital at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in 1962.

She spent the last 10 years of her life in Portland as artist-in-residence at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. She moved to Portland from Los Angeles to live in a less-hectic town, said John Strege, organist and choirmaster at Trinity Cathedral. Strege created the position of artist-in-residence for her, and she frequently played at church services, gave solo recitals on the Rosales organ. She also continued to teach professional organists who came from around the country. "Her playing was extremely informed, never dated," Strege said. "It was always elegant, seamless." Crozier "blazed new trails for women organists in America and, quite frankly, the world," Strege said. She was one of the first two American women to have a professional touring and recording career, said Karen McFarlane, her former concert manager. "Women played before her, but with her extraordinary gifts, she broke the barrier," Strege said. After her debut at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., in 1942, Crozier developed a special interest in contemporary music, becoming known for her definitive playing of organ works by noted composers such as Ned Rorem and Leo Sowerby. "I'm very touched to hear that she died," Rorem said Monday from Nantucket. "I was very, very appreciative of her recordings of my organ works. She was one of the few organists from that period who cared about contemporary music." Crozier received music degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., where she earned the coveted Artist's Diploma, the highest award for performance. Her teacher was Harold Gleason, whom she later married. Together, they wrote and edited several editions of an organ method book that became essential reading for aspiring organists. In 1939, she joined Eastman's organ faculty and became head of the vaunted organ department in 1953. In 1979, the New York City chapter of the American Guild of Organists bestowed its Performer of the Year Award on her after a performance in Alice Tully Hall. The New York Times wrote that "she can still run rings around much of her younger competition, not only in interpretive style but in sheer technique as well." Crozier taught master classes throughout the United States and received honorary degrees from Smith College, Illinois College and Eastman. On her 80th birthday, she performed a solo recital from memory at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., and on her 85th birthday she played at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. Her husband preceded her in death; there are no immediate survivors.

A memorial concert took place on Jan. 26, 2004, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Several organists from around the country performed.