SMITH--Betty Jane September 16, 1921 - April 08, 2012. Extraordinary woman who devoted her career to help young opera singers achieve their dreams, died on April 8th 2012. Today, on her living birthday, her ashes will be scattered in the NYC wind. Betty was the former president of the Gerda Lissner foundation, The Herman Lissner Foundation and The Melchior Heldentenor Foundation. She was born in Bohman, Texas, after graduating from Stephen College, moved to NYC and found a job working for Constance Hope, who promoted Metropolitan Opera singers. At Hope Associates, Ms. Smith first represented the Heldentenor Lauritz Melchior and then Mrs. Gerda Lissner. Some other noteable Met singers she represented included Eleanor Steber, Helen Traubel, also, Jeannette MacDonald and the great pianist William Kapell. She remained president until her retirement in 2006 to write Lauritz Melchior biography, "Journey to Valhalla" and have it freely available at his own website, www.lauritzmelchior.com Today her friends honored her life and are grateful to have met such an incredible woman.