Wanda was born on August 19, 1927 to Marguerite Kubale and Dr. Robert L. Saxon in Little Rock and passed from this life to the next on November, 16, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, TN. She graduated from Little Rock Senior High School in 1945, Westminster Choir College, Princeton, N.J. with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music in 1949, and North Texas University, Denton, TX with a Master of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance in 1954. Her gorgeous voice brought her to Dallas, TX where, under the direction of her beloved teacher and coach, Paul Vellucci, she was granted a Fullbright Scholarship to study classical voice at St. Cecelia''s in Rome, Italy. She was a featured soloist at The Spoleto Festival in Spoleto, Italy and performed at the La Scala Opera House. In 1958, Wanda returned to the United States, making New York City her home. She appeared in various roles on Broadway including ""Man of La Mancha"", ""Stop the World, I Want to Get Off"", ""Kismet"", ""How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"" and Tammy Grimes'' understudy in the ""The Unsinkable Molly Brown"". Wanda also appeared with the New York Philharmonic under Eugene Ormandy, Charles Munch, and Leopold Stokowski. Her magnificent voice as a Dramatic Soprano made her an instant hit with Starlight Showtime audiences as the role of ZoZo in the ""Merry Widow"". She performed in several productions with the Dallas Civic Opera and the Little Rock Light Opera. While on tour in 1967, Wanda met and married the love of her life, John J. Connolly. Over the next two decades they made their home in New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Dallas. While in Dallas she sang lead soprano for the Highland Park Presbyterian Church before returning to Little Rock, where she was lead soprano for the Second Presbyterian Church Choir for many years. Wanda assumed the role of Great-Aunt ""LeeLee"" with much joy! She especially loved to take ""her babies"" for fun rides in her red T-top Firebird, give them too much candy and purchase as many Barbie dolls as available! Following the death of her husband, Wanda moved to Memphis, TN to be near her sister, Esta. Wanda''s life reflected her love for God, family and music. The treasure of her incredible voice will be forever remembered by those blessed enough to hear her melodies. Wanda was welcomed home with great joy and music by her parents, husband, John, brother, Robert Saxon, and sister, Rece Price. Wanda''s life will continue be celebrated by her devoted sister, Esta Saxon Kirkley; nieces Medora Price Monigold, Roberta Saxon Gordon, Gwen Williams Huff, and Wendy Williams Bettis; great-nieces Laura Saxon, Jocelyn Saxon, Megan Bettis, Jacqueline Bettis, Medora Davison, Charlotte Price, Sidney Price and Catelyn Huff. Pallbearers are nephews David Saxon (Barbara), Thomas Butler (Deborah), Mack Price, Jr. (Elise), Lewis Price (Becca); great-nephews Ben Saxon, Alex Butler, Scott Butler, Mack Price III, Evan Connolly Bettis, and Mike Huff. Honorary Pallbearers are Steve Huff and Ken Monigold. The family wishes to thank with much love, Dr. John B. Kirkley for the constant care of his sister-in-law, Wanda. Funeral Service is Saturday, November 22 at 11am, First Presbyterian Church, 800 Scott Street, Little Rock, Reverend Howard Gordon officiating with the Rite of Christian Burial immediately following at Roselawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Wanda's honor to Westminster Choir College, Princeton, N.J. Little Rock Music Coterie, or First Presbyterian Church, 800 Scott Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201.