I am so saddened by Myrna's passing! As a colleague at Point Park, I will miss her good humor, insights, and our funny conversations between lessons on the 5th floor of Lawrence Hall. For her family, I pray for strength and peace during this sad time. My thoughts are with you and with Myrna's memory.

Dear Barry, Ben, and Merica,

I am so sorry for your loss, and am sending love to you in this sorrowful time. I will always remember Myrna's kindness and goodness, wrapped together with the greatest wit, charm, brilliance and power a person could possess. I loved Myrna, being welcomed into her family and home, and I will always feel blessed that my childhood was graced by her presence. She was a force for art, beauty, and good in the world, and will be deeply missed and dearly remembered.

Love and condolences,

Katie Brennan

My sincerest and heartfelt condolences to family and friends, colleagues and students of Myrna Paris. I knew and worked with Myrna on a number of operas at New York City Opera, including "The Mikado" and we always had a marvelous time. She was an amazing performer, wonderful artist, terrific singer and actor, and incredible and supportive colleague. She will be sorely and deeply missed by all who knew her and worked with her.

One of my last times seeing her was in Central City, CO, in a production of "A Little Night Music"... her performance was funny, poignant, and deeply moving at the end. I saw her afterwards and congratulated her on a terrific performance and she was so gracious, kind, and loving. Rest in peace, dear Myrna.

Dear Merica and Ben, my deepest condolences on the loss of your joyous talented mom. I know she will be deeply missed, and that she must be so very proud of you both. I am thinking of you at this hard time. With sympathy, Beth Appleman

Ben, Barry, Merica , I am so sorry for your loss. Myrna s greatest achievement was the love and caring she showed you and the world. We all know she was a wonderful artist and teacher, but I think she was an amazing mother... that shared her big heart with many people. The world is a smaller place without her, but I bet you will carry on in her place. Much love, Animal

Dearest Myrna was my first voice teacher in Pittsburgh and one of my greatest colleagues. We had the pleasure of working together in 2003 after years of not seeing each other, and her not seeing me grow up in the opera world. We performed in the opera "Flight" together at Opera Theater of St. Louis and reprised it in Boston in 2005. She was a delight to sing with and she stole the show of course!! I remember her leaning over to me in a rehearsal in St. Louis to gently tell me that I was singing a line with a Pittsburgh accent. It was priceless. Her support of me there and overall meant more than I can say.

I'm very saddened to learn of her departure from us and my thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones. She was truly a unique and compassionate spirit. And she touched many lives that remain changed by her affection, wit, and grace. I will miss her greatly.

With much love,

MaryAnn

I was so sorry to learn of Myrna's passing. My deepest sympathy to the family from your former Sheridan Ave

neighbor across the street,

Myrna was my beloved famous opera star cousin that I always bragged about. So thankful that my brothers and I were able to spend time with Myrna just 8 weeks ago when she came to Colorado for our cousin reunion. Growing up in Colorado, Myrna spent fun summer vacations with me at Grandmother and Dad's cabin at Lake George. Many trips to Wichita I took with my family and always looked up to my cousin Myrna. Seeing her perform in Central City and downtown Denver always got me so excited, amazed at her talent and the loud applause I would hear for Myrna!

I will miss our late night lengthy phone conversations about cats, sports and everything, remembering how positive Myrna always sounded. She is with me still and always will be. So much strength I have gained in living my own life and building my faith from Myrna Lynn. Thoughts and prayers continue to be with Barry, Merica, Ben, Karen and Kent...Teddy, family, friends, musicians, students and all the 4-leggers who were touched by knowing Myrna. See you in Heaven, in the next life dear cousin!!

Lisa Ann

Im so sorry to hear of Myrna's passing. She was a very talented woman. I'm glad I had the opportunity to perform with her for several years. She will be sorely missed by the performing arts community of Pittsburgh.

To Barry, Merica, Ben, Brian, Teddy and all of Myrna's devoted family and friends.

There are no words to express the devastation of the loss of this beloved woman. I had the immeasurable pleasure of having her share my apartment during the Spring and Fall seasons of her fabulous NYCO career. She was easy going, warm, giving and a "hoot". We had wonderful times hosting great cast parties, and dinners for friends. So many lasting memories.

A true treasure to all who knew and loved her including Victor, Scissors and Ashes.

I will be with you in spirit on Sunday. Rest well, Dear Friend. You're forever in my heart.

With much love, Barb

Barry and family,

I am so sorry for your loss. Myrna was a great colleague and friend when I sang with her Many Moons ago. She will be sorely missed. May she rest in peace, and may God grant you comfort and strength in this difficult time.

Dave Dreher

this makes me sad..i loved studying with her

This makes me sad I loved studying with her

To one of the most amazing women I have ever known in my life. She was the joy of my life friend, mentor, sister . I will miss her more than anyone will ever know. She helped me through some of the most difficult times of my life and some of the most joyous. Miss you dear friend. Peace to your wonderful family.

Love you Patti Knapp

So saddened to hear of Myrna's passing. I was a vocal student of hers at CAPA in 1986-1988. When I was unsure about continuing at CAPA, she convinced me to change from piano to vocal. She gave me the courage and confidence to sing in front of others and pursue my passion. I thank you, Myrna Paris, for believing in me and helping me find my voice. I will be forever grateful for your influence and teaching.

We were so sorry to hear of Myrna's passing. She was a warm, funny, wonderful and talented woman. She gave voice lessons to my daughter Christa. Myrna's lessons, were not only about music, but about life. She inspired Christa (and me!) to do all she can do and do it the best she can no matter what anyone else said or thought. She shared many, many stories of her life and her passion and love for it. She inspired, hugged and gave all of herself to everyone. She did it 100% or not at all. Our prayers are with her family. We were truly blessed to have known her and will miss her laugh and smile and twinkling eyes.

Everything Myrna did came to life, whether it was a role in opera or one of her crushing hugs whenever we ran into each other.

I recorded her performances of 'Flight' with the Pittsburgh Opera in 2008. In every performance, she all but stole the show. Even when she wasn't singing, I could not take my eyes off Myrna. Her character had so many different emotions and feelings, and she brought all of her life-experiences (it seemed) to bear in her performance - from joy and hope to despair and resignation. She was a unique person and a unique artist, and my life is so much richer for having known her as a person and an artist

riccardo schulz

Barry, I was so sorry to see this in the paper today. When I first moved to town in late 1979, the PSO still played for the Pgh Opera and I loved hearing (and seeing when I could manage from the pit!) her performances. She was such a wonderful musician and actress and was always genuinely nice when we would talk. I am so sorry for your loss.

Dear Barry,

Please accept my condolences. I am overseas with my family, but my heart is in Pittsburgh with you and your family.

Ted Pappas

I was shocked and saddened to learn that Myrna Paris has left us. Heaven's gain is our loss.

I first met Myrna in 1987 at the Lake George Opera Company where she was playing Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus. Three close friends were in the production. Meeting and talking with Myrna led me to a job with her husband, Barry Paris. That became my most treasured association. Because of my job, I was often a guest in their "You Can't Take It With You" home -- Barry writing in the attic, Myrna teaching and singing downstairs, and their children, Merica and Ben, in and out of the house with various activities. I still remember all the crazy things that happened, Myrna's late-night calls as we scrambled to find something. But most of all I remember the laughter.

Throughout it all, there was Myrna - incredibly strong, talented, upbeat, hilarious, generous, a wonderful mother, a supportive wife, typist, and animal lover. When she was on the stage, you could not look at anyone else. Her acting and rich mezzo voice were unparalleled. Even in a smaller role, the critics would recognize her abilities. As a voice teacher, she was fantastic and has many grateful and successful students.

No matter how busy, Myrna was always ready to help anyone who needed it, always there with advice, with humor, and most of all, with friendship.

Myrna, you will be in my heart always. I will never forget your laugh, your singing, the way you would tell a story, our visits, our phone calls, our texts. Sing with the angels, dear Myrna.

Myrna was one of the most talented, most generous, most modest, and most gracious people I have ever met. At the first Gill family reunion, Carole introduced me to her as a fellow singer and music lover, Myrna admitted to singing with Bob Page's Mendelsohn Choir--but she never mentioned that she sang as a soloist! Later we joined her in NYC for her performance as Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd." Some years later we spent time together when she performed at the Palm Beach Opera company. Sadly our paths only crossed those three times, but I remember every moment with her as if it were yesterday. My heart goes out to her close family and all those who were fortunate enough to be with her much more often. I'm so thankful for the honor to have met her and to have enjoyed her incredible gifts.

I, too, am shocked. Vickie Livengood let me know. Myrna and I worked together years ago, and whe I worked in the Burgh, she always came to the theater. I still have the card she wrote to in a memory book back at my home in Atlanta. She was a beautiful spirit, and the world is a bit poorer without her.

Aloha,

Tommy Trotter

Dear Barry, Merica, and Ben,

This comes as such a shock. I will always be grateful for the friendship and warmth Myrna brought into my life. My thoughts are with you all.

With love,

Eric Myers

NY, NY