Evening star., 1947-05-07
Homer was selected to sing the role
of MadiaIana.

of Maddalena.
A native Of Sewickley, Pa, q
suburb OF Pittsburgh, she was the
daughter of the late William Trimble
Beatty and the late Sarah Colwen
Beatty. Her father was q Presby-
terian minister, and the young
singer found 1t hard to convince
her devout father that it was not
sinful to use her voice in other ways
than singing the glory of God.
Her mother entered a theater for
the first time to hear her talented
15-year-old daughter sing leading
part in the religious drama, Ruth
and Naomi" and hoped thereafter
that she might be forgiven for being
so proud" of her success.
Made Opera Debut in 1898.
After study in Philadelphia and
Boston, she married Mr.. Homer, who
had been her music teacher, and the
young musicians went to France.
After nearly two years OF study
abroad, she made her operate debut
in 1898 as Leonora in La Favorita"
at Vichy, France. After several
more appearances In Europe, she re-
turned to this country and made
her American debut in San Fran
cisco in 1900.
The next season she appeared at
the Metropolitan and was IA
miliar performer there until 1919.
For several years she toured the
country, appearing as guest soloist
with the Chicago and San Francisco
Opera Companies. She reappeared
at the Metropolitan in 1927 in her
favorite role in "Aida," and sang in
special performance of III Trava-
tore" the following year. Since 1882
she had lived quietly in Bolton,
N. Y, and Winter Park.
Always interested in furthering
the careers of young American sing
ers, she was honorary advisor in
voice at Rollins College, and award
ed two scholarships annually at the
Rollins Voice Conservatory.
Received Many Honors.
She took an active part in the af-
fairs of the Florida community, and
was leading fiure during a music
appreciation program among the
elementary schools there several
years ago.
The mother of six children, she
was named as one of the IL great
est living American women in 1924
by the National League of Women
Voters. She had received honorary
degrees from many colleges, incllld-
ing Tufts, Smith, Russell Sage and
Middlebury and Miami (Ohio) Uni
versity. 81.
She had popularized many of the
songs Of her husband, whose works
include the music to Vachell Lind
says "Gen. William Booth Enters
into Heaven" Browning's "A Wom-
ans Last Word" and Oliver Wendell
Holmes "The Last Leaf" In 1889
the story Of their life together was
published, written by Mr.. Homer and
entitled my Wife and l." They
celebrated their 50th wedding an
niversary in 1945.
Husband, Children Survive.
In addition to her husband she is
survived by a son, Sidney Homer,
jr., a former Washington resident
now living in New York City; four
daughters, Mrs. Katherine Fryer,
Scarsdale, N. Y; Mrs. Louise Stires,
New York, with whom Nine. Homer
had made her many concert appear
ances; Mrs. Hester Henry, West
port, Conn, and Mrs. Anne Warner
of Dorset. VT. A fifth daughter,
Mrs. Helen Joy Doerfinger, died last
fall.
Also surviving are two brothers,
Howard Beatty and Fulton Beatty,
Fincastle, Va; a sister, Mrs. S. Leroy
Barber, West Chester, Pa, and Is
grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at
o'clock this afternoon at the Rollins
College Chapel in Winter Park, with
DR.. Hamilton Holt, president of Rol-
Inns College, officiating. Burial will
be at Lake George, N. Y.