Virginia Lee Becraft, my beloved mother, passed away on Monday, July 13 ^th . She passed away in her home, with Zoie Roland and I right by her side.

Virginia was a Kansas girl devoted to her beloved parents and two sisters. After college, she moved to New York City and planted her roots in Manhattan, where she began her career and raised me. Virginia also lived in South Kent, CT, and Chatham, NJ, where she made many life-long friends.

Virginia was an exquisite singer, songwriter, and composer of music. She performed at venues such as The Rainbow Room, The Café Carlyle, and Club Prive in Manhattan, with musicians Lester Lanin, Jimmy Lyons, and many others. She also sang at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tulley Hall at Lincoln Center.

Virginia was a respected and renowned voice, speech, and diction coach. She was passionate about teaching and adored her students. Her students had a profound impact on her life, and she derived great joy from supporting their development and witnessing their many successes. Virginia's students include Tony Award winners who have appeared on Broadway, the London Stage, and in films and television.

When notified of her passing, Jason Alexander wrote: "Virginia was a terrific lady and a great early mentor. She was a great addition to my life when I really needed understanding and guidance. May she rest peacefully and lead a heavenly choir." Corey Glover added, "Virginia gave me the confidence to find the emotional center of the song. Bless her soul."

My mother loved music, art, and nature. She appreciated beauty and excellence. We will always remember her as one whose zest for life was contagious. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and students and never forgotten.

As a mother, she was a lioness and my best friend. She availed me a beautifully rich and cultured upbringing. Her love, devotion, creativity, sense of integrity, fairness, and optimism defined her life. These qualities and virtues shaped everything that is good within me. She stood by me through trials, tribulations, joys, and successes. My mother is the wellspring from which I derive courage, hope, and the conviction to do good and meaningful things in this world.

Several years ago, she was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia, at which point I moved her out to Utah. She lived the last years of her life to the fullest, and we made many wonderful memories. She never once forgot me. Virginia remembered her family, many long-time friends, and students, and the memories she made with them all.

A celebration of life for Virginia will take place at her spiritual home, St. John the Divine, in Manhattan. For safety reasons, this celebration is tentatively scheduled for next summer.