Gretchen d’Armand: June, 18, 1940

With deep love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Gretchen d’Armand, who passed away on August 8, 2025, at the age of 85.

Born in New York City on June 18, 1940, Gretchen spent her childhood in the Pacific Northwest – first on Whidbey Island, then in Eugene, Oregon. Music was woven into her life from the very beginning. Her mother, a professional singer, was a finalist in the National Metropolitan Opera Auditions while pregnant with her and passed along her vocal talent and love of music.

Gretchen pursued her passion for singing with dedication and grace. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music from Northwestern University and her master’s degree in music from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She spent two summers studying with Madame Lotte Lehmann at Music Academy of the West