Legendary Actress Mary Tyler Moore Has Died At The Age of 80

January 26, 2017 by Masterclass Lady 3 Comments


Mary Tyler Moore Obituary

Update: My original article about Mary Tyler Moore’s passing  was captured and held hostage by WordPress. I am negotiating for its release as we speak. Ha!  Gotta love technical glitches. 

Look at that beautiful and charismatic face. Is it any wonder that she was beloved by legions of fans?  Not only was she a talented actress but also she was a real, everyday, authentic person that galvanized women around the world to embrace everything that they could possibly be. 

On Wednesday, February 25th 2017,  the beloved Mary Tyler Moore passed away from cardiopulmonary arrest due to pneumonia. She was surrounded by her family members. 

Her life had not been easy. Over the years, she suffered in silence while coping with multiple problems such as alcoholism (which she overcame when she checked herself in to the Betty Ford Centre) , diabetes, depression, the death of her only son.

 And yet, she never let it affect her joyous and exuberant performances once the camera started to roll in front of her live audiences.  She was, not surprisingly, the consummate professional. 

She was our “Mar“, and we loved her fully and completely. Women lived their lives vicariously through her Mary Richards character on the iconic Mary Tyler Moore Show, coming to realize that her dreams of success could and did spark our dreams of success. 

Originally discovered via her successful role as Laura Petrie on the equally successful Dick Van Dyke show, she was a performer who pretty much could do it all. Nothing was out of the realm of possibility for Mary. Not only was she an incredible actress but also she was a gifted singer and dancer, all in full display in the video which accompanies this article. 

Memories of my young adult years centred around Mary. I even had a couple of outfits that Mary wore tailored for me.  But, trust me – they looked a whole lot better on her than on me. Ha!  

And, her attention to detail in her performances really resonated with me and, as a musician, I tried to emulate this quality as much as possible. 

I encourage everyone to check out Mary Tyler Moore’s  Wikipedia Page and CNN’s exceptional coverage of Mary. There is such a history there and so many stories from her peers. She was truly loved and left this world embraced by this love. That is quite a legacy, Mar! 

On behalf of the MCL community,  I wish her family, friends and fans my deepest and heartfelt condolences.  R.I.P. Mary. 

Mary Tyler Moore, Singing, Television

About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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3 Responses to “Legendary Actress Mary Tyler Moore Has Died At The Age of 80”

  1. peggyfromporcupine January 26, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    Correction: Her son’s death was ruled accidental. Please make that change. Yes, I, too, felt sad to read of her death – because she brought such great joy to so many.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Kariann Hart (@KariannHart) January 27, 2017 at 12:47 am

    Rosanne, please check the date Mary passed on. What a great loss and such a lovely lady. Talented in acting, singing, and dancing. We were blessed to have her in our world! RIP, Mary.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Masterclass Lady January 27, 2017 at 1:24 am

    Thanks Kariann. She died yesterday. The 25th. That’s what I wrote. Loved her.

    Like

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