Wanda Weiskopf

Wanda Weiskopf, 90, of Burbank, Calif., died Friday, April 13, 2012, peacefully in her sleep. She was born Wanda Lou Connell, in Jefferson City, Mo., on August 2, 1921. Mrs. Weiskopf was a professional opera singer, who began her career in St Louis Mo. She moved to Los Angeles in 1946, with her husband Herbert Weiskopf, a musician and refugee from Czechoslovakia. While in Los Angeles Wanda sang for films such as the King of Kings and the Great Caruso. She was a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, an active voice coach for aspiring singers, and a regional judge in Seattle for the New York Metropolitan Opera competitions. She assisted her husband, Herbert, who directed the Portland Opera in Portland, Ore. from 1966 through 1970. During this time Wanda and Herbert enhanced the visibility and vitality of the Portland Opera Association with internationally renowned performers. Mrs. Weiskopf was one of the first women enlisted in the United States Army following the bombing of Pearl Harbor and was honorably discharged in 1943. She and her husband directed the St. Louis Missouri USO for United States military personnel. Mrs. Weiskopf was a published poet and author. She started writing poems in grade school and some were read on the radio station of the St Louis Cardinals in the early thirties. Her books of poetry include: My Song, 2008; Listen to the River, 2002; All is Not Winter, 1976; and her memoirs On the Wings of Song, My Life with the Maestro, 1995. She was also published in magazines and poetry anthologies including LA My Way. "Life, The essence of life, lies not in strife, but the giving of love, and the joy thereof." Mrs. Weiskopf is survived by her two children, Marta and Doug; and her two grandchildren, Alder and Virginia. Memorial services for Wanda Weiskopf will be held at Sunset Mortuaries in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, May 19, at 2 p.m. Services are under the direction of Sunset Mortuaries, 6801 Southwest Sunset Highway, Portland, Oregon. (503) 292-6654