Maggie Stearns, opera translator, librettist, and press representative of ⁩ Opera Theatre of Saint Louis passed away at the age of 89.

Stearns was born on March 1, 1936, in New York City to D. Spencer Byard and Margaret M. Byard. She attended The Brearley School, and graduated from Smith College with a BA in English.

Early in her career Stearns wrote for “Mademoiselle” and “Scientific American.” She authored two cookbooks and was an English teacher at Nobles and Greenough School, Lawrenceville School, and Mary Institute. Stearns took on the role of national press representative for the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis with little to no experience in the field, yet this would become a 37-year career. With her creativity, wit, and deep knowledge of language, literature, and the arts, she drew prominent music critics and visitors to St. Louis from all over helping to put the young company firmly on the map.

Stearns published English translations of “La Bohème,” “Arianna,” “Hippolyte et Aricie,” and “Madame Butterfly.”Her original libretto for the world premiere of Paul Schoenfield’s “The Merchant and the Pauper” was deemed “deftly poetic” by the New York Times. She continued her work as an editor and advisor to her close family of opera colleagues until her death.

In 1990, Stearns was elected to the board of the Sullivan Foundation, a prestigious organization which awards grants to young singers. She became executive director in 2001, and completed 35 years of service to the organization.

While performing in a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore,” she met her husband, Jim Stearns. They were happily married until his death in 2010. She is survived by her two daughters, her two sons-in-law, and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her honor can be made to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis or the Nantucket Conservation Foundation.