Edalyn Doris Lalli

LALLI-Edalyn Doris (Bledsoe) Lalli, 86, Surrounded by her loving family, Edalyn passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 2 0, 2008. She was born September 22, 1922 in Valley Mills, Texas, the daughter of Edward and Lillian (Robertson) Bledsoe. At the time of her death, she was living at her home in Sierra Madre, California. Beloved mother, grandmother and dear friend to many, Edalyn leaves behind her loving husband of 44 years, Mario, loving sons and daughter, Mario (Illiana) Lalli, Edward Burger, Sharie (Ed) Harmon, and her much loved grandchildren, Olive and Dino Lalli, Dylan Burger, Carly (Jamin) Triz, Joni, Chelsea, Makinse y, and Quinn Harmon. As a small child, Edalyn's family moved from Texas to Colorado to ranch near the town of Ellicott. She graduated as the valedictorian of Ellicott School in 1939, loving music, oratory, and basketball, where she was named an all-state guard. She entered Colorado College at the age of 16 and had leading roles in many CC operas and performances, including "Carmen," graduating in 1943. Singing "Carmen's Habanera continued to be one of Edalyn's audiences' favorite pieces. She was awarded a scholarship to the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, where she received her Master's Degree with honors in music in 1945. She was selected to join the Broadway Musical tour of "Up in Central Park" in 1946, which included a performance in the Hollywood Bowl. She shared her many music talents, founding and performing with the Colorado Springs Theatre Singers, and The Colorado Springs Opera Association, hosting many performances in the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Edalyn was a member of two loc al performing groups in Colorado Springs, The Duotones and the Starlighters, and was a soloist at Grace Episcopal Church and the First Christian Church of Colorado Springs. She was previously married to Lamont Burger of Colorado Springs. Moving to Denver in 1963, she became the director of vocal music at Loretta Heights College. She married Mario Lalli and they began a wonderful and successful restaurant career together in Mario?s Restaurant, "Where They Sing While You Dine," where they got to combine their love for singing and opera and great food. The restaurant business took them to California in 1973 where restaurants were opened in Palm Springs, San Diego, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, La Quinta, El Paseo, and Pasadena. Son Mario and his wife Nana continue to offer the best in both at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre, where Edalyn and Mario attended "Opera Night" together every Sunday evening. Mario and Edalyn's love of opera took them to Italy, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York many times. Of th e things that mattered most to Edalyn was her family. Mario lovingly called her, "Louise," and he made her laugh everyday. She was an inspiration to her family and passed on the flame of passion and love for music to her children and grandchildren. She was truly a beautiful lady in every sense of the word. It's with much gratitude and praise that we celebrate the life of Edalyn Doris Lalli. A memorial service tribute to Edalyn's life, officiated by Reverend Ned Ready, will be held Saturday, January 10, 200 8 at 11:00 am at the Douglass & Zook Mortuary (Chapel of the Foothills) in Monrovia, California (626-358-3244). The service will be followed by a celebration reception at the Lalli's Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre (322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.) A second memorial service will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado at a later date with interment in the Evergreen Cemetery of Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the LA Opera Company, The Metropolitan Opera Company, or the Foothills Comm unity Center in Sierra Madre.