Renowned University of Montana music professor, Esther England, died this past Saturday. England started teaching at U-M in 1969 and retired in 2005.
She was a formidable force at almost everything she tried; singing opera around the world, teaching university students who wanted to be her and continuing to teach even after a car crash took her singing voice. Until her death she'd been living in a Missoula assisted living center, but she didn't want anybody to feel sorry for her.
In this profile recently produced by Anna Cole for the Advanced Audio Class at the University of Montana School of Journalism, the late Esther England says she just wanted to see people live a big life.