Soprano. Born in Willimantic, Connecticut. Her rich, hearty voice made her a popular radio performer in the early 1940s and from there she moved on to serious recitals. From 1958 she sang with the San Francisco Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and in the 1960s with the Metropolitan Opera. Later she taught at colleges in Indiana and Maine. She liked her distinction as one of the few serious opera singers who also enjoyed success singing and recording popular and jazz music.