Marjorie Finlay was a talented opera singer and television personality who had a profound influence on her granddaughter, Taylor Swift. Finlay passed away on June 1, 2003, at the age of 74, in Reading, Pennsylvania. What was the cause of her death and how did she inspire Swift to pursue music as her passion?
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A Coloratura Soprano with a Diverse Career
Marjorie Finlay was born as Marjorie Moehlenkamp on October 5, 1928, in Memphis, Tennessee. She was raised in St. Charles, Missouri, where she developed an interest in music and singing. She earned her Bachelor of Music from Lindenwood University in 1949 and joined Mu Phi Epsilon, a professional music fraternity.
Finlay’s career as a singer took off in 1950 when she won a talent contest on the ABC network show Music With the Girls. This awarded her a radio spot and she toured on the network radio show for 15 months. She also studied at the Berkshire Music Center and in New York City under the guidance of musician Edwin McArthur.
Finlay moved to Puerto Rico, where she had her own television program and performed in concerts, operas, and supper clubs. She was the mistress of ceremonies for El Show Pan-Americano on APA-TV in Santurce, Puerto Rico. She was active in the Pro Arte Societies, a civic music organization. Her Spanish was reportedly “bad” enough to be funny to her audiences.
Finlay also toured South America and released an album in Mexico. She sang in various genres, including classical, pop, and folk. She performed at a Kiel Auditorium Pop Concert in 1962, where she sang songs from La rondine and Faust as well as popular tunes.
A Loving Wife and Mother
Finlay married Robert Finlay, president of Raymond Construction Company, on March 22, 1952, in Palm Beach, Florida. They moved to Havana, Cuba, where his office was located before relocating to Puerto Rico due to political unrest. They later moved to Caracas and then back to Santurce with their two children.
Finlay was the mother of Andrea Gardner Swift (born 1958), who became the caring mother of Taylor Swift and her brother Austin Swift. Finlay’s husband Robert served in the United States Military and became the maternal grandfather of Taylor Swift. He passed away on April 24, 2003, just a month before Finlay.
A Source of Inspiration for Taylor Swift
Finlay was very close to her granddaughter Taylor Swift, who was born on December 13, 1989. Finlay encouraged Swift to pursue music as her career and taught her how to sing. Swift said that Finlay was “the first person who taught me that you can do whatever you want with your voice if you train it”.
Swift also said that Finlay was “always singing opera around the house” and that she would listen to her tapes and CDs. Swift learned from Finlay how to project her voice and how to sing with emotion. Finlay also exposed Swift to different musical styles and genres.
Swift has paid tribute to Finlay in several ways throughout her career. She dedicated her songs “Marjorie” and “Timeless” to her grandmother and incorporated samples of Finlay’s operatic vocals in them. She also named one of her cats after Finlay and wore a necklace with Finlay’s picture on it.
Swift has said that Finlay is “still guiding me” and that she feels her presence whenever she sings or writes songs. She has also said that Finlay is “one of my favorite people who ever lived” and that she misses her every day.
A Legacy That Lives On
Marjorie Finlay cause of death was not publicly disclosed, but it is speculated that she died of natural causes or complications from an illness. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered by her family.
Finlay left behind a legacy of music, love, and inspiration that lives on through her daughter Andrea Swift and her granddaughter Taylor Swift. She also touched the lives of many people who enjoyed her performances and appreciated her talent.
Finlay is remembered as a coloratura soprano with a diverse career, a loving wife and mother, and a source of inspiration for Taylor Swift. She is also celebrated as one of the ancestors who contributed to Swift’s musical DNA and helped shape her artistic vision.
