Media Release - For Immediate Release

June 21 2010

Honorary Degree Recipient Forrester Passes Away

The Saint Mary’s community is saddened with the recent passing of Canadian opera star Maureen Forrester.

The musical superstar was a friend of the University. She was presented an Honorary Doctorate in 1972 and spoke highly of Saint Mary’s and Canadian universities as she travelled the world serving up her unique sound for appreciative audiences.

She passed away June 16 in Toronto. She was 79.

Born in Montreal in 1930, she left high school at age 13 to take a part time job to finance singing lessons. By age 23 she was touring the world.

She toured extensively in Canada and Europe. In 1957, she married the Toronto violinist and conductor Eugene Kash. The couple had five children.

Ms. Forrester will be remembered for her generosity, her stamina – she often gave up to 120 performances a year while raising her five children – and as a champion of Canadian composers whose works she regularly fit into her programs.

She was a Companion of the Order of Canada and had a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.

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For More Information:

Steve Proctor
External Affairs
Saint Mary's University
(902) 420.5513
E-mail: steve.proctor@smu.ca
www.smu.ca

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