Margery Mayer (Voutsas) in retirement in Carmel Highlands, CA, circa 1977.
In retirement Mayer continued teaching voice, as well as singing as a soloist in her church and in the Monterey peninsula music group, Piano Plus. She taught her great-grandsons to find Middle C on the piano when they turned two. She also did couture sewing, gardening and water color, and continued to extend her trademark hospitality to friends new and old.
Her zest for music and dramatic flair were still on view at her surprise 90th birthday party when she reprised her Carmen role by teasing guests with a full and warm rendition of L’amour, L’amour!
Memorial Contributions
Margery Mayer Voutsas is survived by her two sons, two granddaughters and six great-grandsons. She was predeceased by her sister and by her three husbands, Dietrich George Berthold, Sigvart J. Steen, and George Voutsas.
The family requests that memorial gifts be made to Wagner College for the Margery Mayer and Sigvart J Steen Music Award.
The Margery Mayer and Sigvart J Steen Music Award
Obituaries for Margery Mayer (Steen) (Voutsas)
Chicago
Margery Mayer Voutsas, 1918-2014 Chicago-raised opera singer performed title role in 'Carmen' 30 times By Joan Giangrasse Kates, Special to the Tribune Posted: May 28, 2014, The Chicago Tribune
New York
Margery Mayer Voutsas Obituary 1918 - 2014 Posted: May 31 – June 1, 2014, The New York Times
In memoriam: Retired music professor Margery Mayer Steen Posted: May 19, 2014, The Wagnerian, Wagner College
Margery Mayer, 96 Posted: May 20, 2014, The Staten Island Advance
California
Margery Mayer Voutsas 1918 - 2014 Posted: June 6 to 8, 2014, Monterey County, The Herald
Margery Mayer Voutsas March 29, 1918 – May 12, 2014 Posted: June 6, 2014, The Carmel Pine Cone
image sources
- Margery in Retirement: Owned by the author