Marion Wilma Camarro Obituary (1924 - 2016)

Waterville-Marion W. Camarro, more commonly known as "Wilma", passed away at Mt. St. Joseph Nursing Facility in Waterville, just short of her 92nd birthday, on August 14, 2016. She was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island on September 3, 1924, the daughter of John B. Allen and Mary Denise (Trudeau) Allen. She received certificates from the Rhode Island Conservatory of Music and from the New England Conservatory of Music. She was a soprano, singing under the stage name of Billie Allen. She performed leading roles in operas such as LaBoheme and Carmen under Felix Salmaggi of the Brooklyn Opera Company; performed in and directed musical comedies; and performed in nightclubs in New York, New Jersey, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. On July 20, 1946, she married Michael A. Camarro, who always referred to her as Wilma or Billie, just as family and friends had done before they met. They spent their beginning years living in New York and then New Jersey, where they raised a family. She continued to perform, was the music director for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Oakland, New Jersey, and also owned two furniture stores in New Jersey. In 1978, they moved to Cape Coral, Florida. She continued teaching music, and served as the music director of the Christ Lutheran Church, Cape Coral, Florida, and served as organist and choir director for the Blessed Katherine Drexel Church Cape Coral, Florida. She was a member and president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus at St. Andrew Church in Cape Coral, Florida. Thinking they would move to Maine in 1996, she served as the music teacher for St. John Catholic Regional School in Winslow in 1996 and 1997. Finally, in 2011, Michael and Wilma did move to Waterville, Maine, to be closer to family. Despite falling victim to a stroke in 2012, and a hip injury in 2016, she was able to spend her remaining years enjoying many family events. "Wilma" was predeceased by her husband, Michael, in 2012, her parents, and her four sisters. She is survived by a very large family, including her son Paul Camarro of New Jersey, and his wife Claudia, her daughter Wilma Lombardi of Winslow, Maine and her husband, John; her grandchildren Linda Jurdak, and her husband Brian; John J. Lombardi, Jr. and his wife Erica; Nathaniel Lombardi; Michelle Flett, and her husband Jerry; and Lisa Camarro. She was happy to spend her last years celebrating the births and birthdays of many of her great-grandchildren, Ava Jurdak, Benjamin Jurdak, Adrianna Lombardi, Anthony Lombardi, Caleb Flett, and Harper Flett. The family would like to thank the people who gave Wilma the extra help and care she needed over the last few years, including Wanda and Trish, the staff of Mt. St. Joseph, and the staff of Maine General Hospice. Friends and family may visit on Wednesday August 17, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville, ME. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday August 18, 2016, at 10:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument Street, Winslow, Maine. Burial will immediately follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed and condolences expressed at www.gallantfh.com