Marie V. Watkins

Marie V. Watkins

• Father: William Benjamin Watkins b. December 1849, d. 10 September 1924
• Mother: Elizabeth Partridge b. March 1857, d. 14 June 1932

• Marie V. Watkins was born on 27 September 1893 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
• William Benjamin Watkins and Elizabeth Partridge appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Buffalo, Erie County, Pennsylvania, at 293 Herkimer Street. Other members of the household included Marie V. Watkins.
• The following appeared on 13 September 1913 in The Buffalo Courier: Mme. Edith Watkins-Griswold of New York and her sister, Miss Marie Watkins of Dorchester road have been spending the summer in Europe and are now in Bologna, from whence Mme. Griswold writes: "While in Paris we saw a fine performance of "Faust" with Lassalle in the title role, a tenor with whom I sang Nedda at the Lyric theater in Milan almost three years ago. He has a magnificant voice, more dramatic than lyric, thence not at its best in some portions of the opera. The staging and orchestra were admirable.
       From Bologna we are going on to beloved Florence, but we may delay on departure and go first to Verona for a really wonderful performance of "Aida" to be given in the old Arena, the stage being in the middle and without any background. Zenatella and Maria Gay are singing in the cast as well as some other fine artists.
       We have been the guests of Sig. Giuseppe Gaudenzi's brother and his family at their beautiful country home, one of the finest in all Italy.
       Sig. Gaudenzi has been singing in San Sebastiano, Spain, with Tito Ruffo and Cavaliers in "Pagliacci." He has created a furore and has been invited to sing next season at the Royal theater at Madrid. This season, as you know, he has signed with the Montreal Grand Opera company.
       From Florence we are going to Vallambroa to visit friends and sail for home from Genoa on September 16.
• She married Thomas Warren Dunn, son of Howard James Dunn and Jean Craig Simpson, on 17 April 1915 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, by license issued the same day, with clergyman John E. Vassar officiating. Witnesses were Josephine B. Vassar and Helen E. Vassar. At the time of their marriage, the groom was residing at 151 Summit Avenue in Buffalo, employed as a clerk, and the bride was a student residing in Erie, Pennsylvania.
• The following appeared on 25 April 1915 in The Buffalo Courier: Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Watkins of Dorchester road announced the marriage of their daughter Marie V., to S. Warren Dunn by the Rev. John E. Vassar on January [sic] 17.
• Thomas Warren Dunn and Marie V. Watkins appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 429 Potomac Avenue. Other members of the household included Edith Simpson Dunn.
• The following appeared on 14 September 1924 in The Buffalo Courier: The many friends in the town of Mme. Edith Watkins-Gaudenzi, the operatic soprano, will sympathize with her in the recent loss of her father, William B. Watkins of Norwood avenue, whose death occurred at his summer home at Angola-on-the-Lake. [:CR;]      Mr. Watkins was a prominent business man, and of a quiet, unassuming nature, finding his greatest joy in his family. He was a man of exemplary character and high standing in the community. He was a great lover of the best in music and took great pride in Mme. Gaudenzi's musical career both here and abroad. The deep affection between father and daughter was a beautiful one, and Mme. Gaudenzi, whose home is in New York, did not take her usual trip abroad this summer, but has been in constant attendance at her father's bedside. Mr. Gaudenzi, who recently arrived from Italy, has also been spending some weeks here. Mr. Watkins is survived by his wife and his two daughters, Edith Watkins Gaudenzi and Marie Watkins Dunn.
• Thomas Warren Dunn and Marie V. Watkins appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1925 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 43 Norwood. Other members of the household included Edith Simpson Dunn, Warren Watkins Dunn and Elizabeth Partridge. Also in the household was one female domestic servant.
• Thomas Warren Dunn and Marie V. Watkins appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Eggertsville, Erie County, New York, at 104 Brantwood Road. Other members of the household included Edith Simpson Dunn, Warren Watkins Dunn and Elizabeth Partridge. Also in the household was one female household servant.
• The following appeared on 9 September 1932 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: Mme. Edith Watkins Gaudenzi and her sister Marie Watkins Dunn, of New York, who have been spending a short time at their country home on the lake shore, were in town Tuesday, having tea at the Statler. Mme. Gaudenzi was looking very smart in a black crepe gown figured in pale buff flowers. Her black felt hat had a moderate sized brim, and a beautiful sable scarf completed her costume.
       Mrs. Dunn, who is a very attractive young woman with dark eyes, dark hair and a clear white complexion, looked lovely in a French gown of black crepe, the bodice having a square neckline bordered with tucked white organdy inset with lace, and captivating little white organdy puff sleeves and a white organdy flower just below one shoulder. The skirt was fitted to the figure and ended in a slight flare. Her small black felt hat had a narrow, undulating brim.
       Mme. Gaudenzi, who is a former Buffalo girl, studied piano with the late Edward MacDowell in New York. Later she went to Europe and studied, and finding that she possessed a dramatic soprano voice of great scope and rich quality, decided to specialize in vocal rather than instrumental work. She made her debut in opera in Italy, winning gratifying success and after spending several seasons abroad came to America, where she decided to become a teacher in voice as well as operatic coach. She continued to spend every summer abroad and her extensive knowledge of music in all its branches makes her a musician of authority and find discriminating taste. She resides in a handsome home in New York, in which there is a studio of artistic setting with a small stage at one end. It is her custom during the season to give musicales once a month which are attended by many representative signers. It was in Mme. Gaudenzi's studio that the romance of Enrico Caruso and Dorothy Benjamin first began, the latter being a vocal pupil of Mme. Gaudenzi.
       The music critic of The New Yorker, referring to a recent performance of Pagliacci by the Puccini Grand Opera Company, with Fulgenzio Gierrieri conducting, says of Miss Elvira Helal, who is a pupil of Mme. Gaudenzi, "Miss Helal sang an extraordinary musical Nedda; Miss Helal sounded like a soprano who might be worth entering in your future-book."
• She married James Simpson Vail on 20 November 1936 in Manhattan, New York.
• James Simpson Vail and Marie V. Watkins appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey, at 926 Park Avenue. Also in the household was one female domestic servant.
• The following appeared on 28 June 1940 in The New York Sun: Miss Edith Simpson Dun of 129 West Seventy-eighth street, daughter of Mrs. James S. Vail of Plainfield, N. J., is being married to Alden Lothrop McMurtry of this city, son of Mrs. Alden L. McMurtry of Rye, N. Y., this afternoon in the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. The Rev. John W. Suter Jr. is performing the ceremony and a reception will follow at the Plaza.
       Miss Constance Vail of Maplewood, N. J., step-sister of the bride, is maid of honor and other attendants are Mrs. Granville S. Carrel, Miss Lillian McMurtry, a sister of the bridegroom; Miss Nancy Kenyon of Pawtucket, R. I., and Miss Elizabeth Clute. 1674728 John Sloan is the best man and the ushers are Granville S. Carrel, Watkins Dunn and Lamont and Stewart Bryan Jr. of Richmond, Va.
       The bride, a granddaughter of the late Major James H. Dunn of Albany, N. Y., attended the Hillside School in Norwalk, Conn. Mr. McMurtry, who is a nephew of Major George C. McMurtry of Camden, S. C., attended the Pomfred School in Connecticut and the University of Virginia.
       After their wedding trip the couple will live at 400 East Fifty-seventh street.
• The following appeared on 24 October 1942 in The New York Times: Mme. Edith W. Gaudenzi, New York voice teacher, died on Thursday at the home of her sister, Mrs. Marie Vail, at Plainfield, N. J., after an illness of two years, at the age of 57. She was born in St. Thomas, Canada, studied music at Columbia University, took piano lessons under the late Edward MacDowell and later took vocal lessons and studied abroad. [:CR;]      Mme Gaudenzi made her operatic debut as a contralto at the Teatro Nazionale in Rome, followed by appearances in Italy and Germany. She formerly had been associated with the New England Music Camp at Lake Messalonskee, Oakland, Me.
• Marie V. Watkins died on 27 December 1972 at age 79 in Los Angeles County, California.
• James Simpson Vail became a widower at her death.
• The following appeared on 29 December 1972 in the Pasadena Star-News: Marie Watkins Vail passed away December 27, 1972. She was a member of the League of Women Voters; and Linda Vistans. Survived by her husband, James S. Vail of Pasadena; daughters Edith McMurtry of Pasadena, and Constance V. Doane of San Jose; her son, W. W. Dunn of Las Vegas; five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. At the request of the deceased there will be no funeral service. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Turner & Stevens Co., Pasadena, directors.
• The following appeared on 12 June 1976 in the Pasadena Star-News: James S. Vail passed away June 10, 1976. Survived by two daghters, Constance Doane, of Pasadena, and Mrs. Edith McMurtry, of Mexico, one son, W. W. Dunn, of Las Vegas; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. At Mr. Vail's request, no services will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charity of your choice.

• Last Edited: 14 Nov 2014