Elizabeth Walker, 66, Curtis librarian

Elizabeth S. Walker, 66, formerly of Philadelphia, a contralto with a resounding voice who was a longtime presence in the city's music community, died Thursday, Oct. 30, of cancer at a hospice in Pittsburgh.

Known as "Betsy," Ms. Walker moved to Philadelphia in 1977 to become assistant librarian at the Curtis Institute of Music. She rose to head librarian in 1980, and retired in 2012 as the institute's director of library and information services.

She was credited with steering the Curtis library into the computer age.

Curtis president Roberto Diaz issued a statement describing her legacy: "Her warm presence, good humor, charm, and distinctive voice have marked the lives of many Curtis students. So much of the library was created by Betsy during her years with us."

Born in Somerset, Pa., Ms. Walker completed her undergraduate work at Hood College. She earned a master's degree in voice from Pennsylvania State University and a second master's degree in library science from the University of Pittsburgh.

While working as a music librarian, she had a parallel career as a vocalist. Her teachers included the late Robert F. Trehy, a voice professor at Penn State; Claudia Pinza, a voice faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh; and the late Beatrice Krebs, an operatic mezzo-soprano and voice teacher.

Ms. Walker sang with the Philadelphia Singers for 23 years, Pennsylvania Pro Musica for 25 years, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia chorus for 13 years. She was an alto soloist at First Presbyterian Church of Ardmore, Old Christ Church in Philadelphia, and other religious institutions.

Her participation in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas began in 1976 with the Pittsburgh Savoyards. From 1982 to 2001, Ms. Walker sang all the lead alto parts with the Savoy Company in Philadelphia.

"It was very fun," said her sister Lucy Clippinger. "You got to dress up in those silly costumes as well as enjoy the vocals."

In the mid-1990s, appearing with the Savoy Company at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton, England, she was honored as best female performer.

Ms. Walker served twice as Pennsylvania Chapter chair of the Music Library Association, and was a member of the National Board of Governors for the American Guild of Musical Artists for 12 years.

She lived in Center City before moving to Pittsburgh in 2012 to be near family. She loved cats, especially her 15-year-old Himalayan, Mr. Felix.

In addition to her sister, Ms. Walker is survived by another sister, Mary, and a brother, Chester.

A memorial is being planned for 2 p.m. Jan. 24 at Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust St. Curtis is asking those who wish to attend to e-mail humanresources@curtis.edu because seating is limited.

Contributions may be made to Student Financial Assistance Fund, Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust St., Philadelphia 19103.