Paula L. Cartwright
was the first child of the second generation born in America to
an Italian immigrant couple. Her mother died in childbirth, and
Paula was embraced by her grandmother as if she were a daughter
and by her aunts and uncles as if she were a sister. Her eldest
aunt ultimately assumed full responsibility for her.
Paula's
father was also technically an Italian immigrant, though he arrived
in America with his parents and siblings while still a baby. Paula
inherited from her father a talent for music, and this talent
was noticed by her family, who provided piano and voice lessons
from an early age. At age seventeen, Paula became the youngest
member of the Pittsburgh Opera Company, with which she was active
for three decades. She also did some radio and television performances,
as well as being a professional church soloist.
Paula
has been married twice, having one son by the first marriage and
three more by the second. She now resides in Deerfield Beach,
Florida, with her husband. She enjoys seeing her children, grandchildren,
and relatives. She is active with The Theosophical Society and
has many friends with similar interests.
