Wednesday, March 13, 2019
I met Sofia Dooley in 1978 when she was president of the Capital Area Guild, a volunteer organization newly founded by her to promote the Lake George Opera Festival. It was during an LGOF production of Tosca at Albany's Palace Theater. By the time I was appointed the company’s marketing director later that year, we’d become fast friends. Her dedication was steadfast and infectious. She was never at all shy about suggesting efforts to promote the company. Her encourage-ment and support and nudging kept me on my toes. We had numerous meetings, phone calls - and lots of laughs. Eventually, she was invited to join the opera’s board of directors. She often attended performances with her good friend Louise Desormaeau, who would drive a group to the theater in her large RV. They had their own classical music version of tailgate parties. In later years, I often escorted her to the Opera. When Sofie’s beloved husband Jim died, tragically and ironically on the day of his retirement in 1979, all their plans to travel and revel in their golden years ended. It was a tremendous blow. She fought through her profound sadness and continued her active life. She often said that she spent time with younger people to retain her vitality and joy of life. Thus, her relationship with and love for Elizabeth Graham - 100 years her junior - was no surprise. It was a unique, touching bond. She was still active and independent into her nineties. Everything changed dramatically when she decided to stop driving and shortly thereafter suffered a fall. With each step of her reduced independence and move to assisted living, she initially railed against the restrictions, yet soon adapted to her situation all along the way. And all along the way she made new friends. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of aging was her gradual loss of hearing. It was a sad development for this woman who so loved music. Yet, I’m sure she likely played opera arias over and over in her mind. Undoubtedly - when applicable - in the original Italian! Sof, like the character Tosca, you could rightly claim, ‶Visi d’arte, visi d’amore . . .″ What a life it was! Sofie was a remarkable, kind, thoughtful person in so many ways. She was a surrogate mother, confident, supporter and friend to me. ‘In bocca al lupo,’ Sofia. You were treasured and loved by many, I among them. Molto Grazie.
