An American soprano dies in France
mainAlain Gaubert, husband of the soprano Paula Goodman Wilder, has shared news of her death from cancer.
Paula, who graduated from San Francisco Conservatory in 1992, sang two marginal French operas at Opera Manhattan and other more mainstream roles for companies around the US. In Europe, she had more of a recital career.
In 2009 she married the academic Alan Gaubert and settled in Poitiers.
Her husband writes:
1 novembre, 14h. 12. Paula est décédée. Elle est partie très doucement, sans ouvrir les yeux, juste arrêtant de respirer, avec un beau visage calme. Vous tous qui la connaissiez savez ce que nous perdons : passionnée de paléontologie, experte en informatique, généalogiste acharnée, poétesse, journaliste, photographe, merveilleuse chanteuse, parlant cinq langues, devenue une très bonne médiéviste, gaie, aimant les gens et les choses, amoureuse de la France, laissant aux médecins et infirmières un souvenir ébloui par sa gentillesse et son courage. Merci à tous ceux qui l’ont aimée et encouragée. Alain
November 11, 14.12. Paula passed away. She left very slowly, without opening her eyes, just stopping breathing, with a beautiful calm face. All of you who knew her know what we have lost: passionate about paleontology, IT expert, fierce, poet, journalist, photographer, wonderful singer, speaking five languages, became a fine medievalist, cheerful, gregarious, a lover of France who left the doctors and nurses a memory dazzled by her kindness and courage. Thank you to allwho loved and encouraged her. Alain.
How awful. Wishing strength and peace to her loved ones.
Condoléances et fidèle sympathie à Alain au-dessus du temps et de l’espace. What a loss!
So devastated at this loss. Marita McClymonds
Paula was much loved on the Breastcancer.org forum IBC Lounge under the avatar Amarantha. She is fondly remembered.