Features Open Letter Meet One of Friends’ Donors, Maureen P. Woodman Passings José Carreras Honored 2000 & 2001 Financial Statement Other News: 2002 E. D. Thomas Fellow Chosen

Maureen Woodman, a resident of Vancouver, BC, Canada, has been a life-long opera fan and a long-time supporter of the Friends. Maureen’s love of the opera began with her father, who told her bedtime stories of the operas. Opera and classical music were the only types of music that filled her home when she was growing up. Maureen was born in Portsmouth, England and at 5 years of age emigrated to Port Elizabeth, South Africa. At 20 years of age she returned to England and a couple of years later emigrated to Vancouver, BC where she has remained. Her parents joined her in Vancouver in 1969, where they lived until their deaths in the 1980’s.

It was Maureen’s father who first heard of Mr. Carreras’ battle with leukemia in 1987. A friend in Seattle kept them up-to-date on his progress at the “Hutch”. Maureen herself is a cancer survivor and her father succumbed to lymph cancer of the bone marrow in 1988. Maureen found Mr. Carreras’ voice to be an enormous comfort during the grieving process after the death of her father.

Maureen has had the great fortune of seeing Mr. Carreras in a number of performances over the years. The first time was at his Seattle recital in May of 1989; the first United States performance following his illness. She most recently saw Mr. Carreras at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver this past spring; the above photo was taken backstage at that performance. Other memorable performances include a lovely Christmas concert in Lucerne, Switzerland in 1990, La Bohème at Wienerstaatsoper in 1993 and an outdoor concert that same year in an ancient arena in Orange, France, featuring both Mr. Carreras and Montserrat Caballe with the orchestra of El Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona. Along with opera, Maureen’s other passion is travel, having been to 60 countries on 6 continents.

Maureen’s love of opera extends to her career at the Virgin Megastore, where she is the opera specialist in the classical department. There she is able to introduce opera and many of the great singers to her customers - what great fortune for the residents of Vancouver! Additionally Maureen is a member of the Vancouver Opera Guild, volunteering in a variety of capacities. She has had the fortunate opportunity to be involved with the Guild since the 80’s. This has given her the opportunity to be backstage for many wonderful events.

Maureen’s passion for the opera has led her to identify the performing arts as beneficiaries in her will. She felt that the finest tribute she could give to Mr. Carreras was to name his Foundation as one of those beneficiaries. In her words, “he is a very special man, who gives joy and comfort to so many people.”

Maureen is a very special woman who gives generously of her time and talents, sharing her love of opera with so many. We feel most fortunate to count her among our friends!