Most people associate Georgia Engel with her special vocal quality and presence on television as “Georgette” (“Actress known for ‘Mary Tyler Moore’ role,” Star-Advertiser, April 16).

Engel started her entertainment career at Honolulu Community Theatre (now Diamond Head Theatre). I was fortunate to share the stage with her, as a chorus member, in “Oklahoma!” in 1967.

Her ability to fully understand character and bring to it the right proportion of subtlety and humor led to her being as important to that production as having marquee-named professional actors.

What many people don’t know is that her unique voice was natural. Her personality was similarly natural — always. She was one of the most humble, unassuming, kind and considerate individuals to grace that stage (or future ones, I’m sure).

Unlike many entertainers who allow their ego to become greater than the sum of their reality, Georgia had a genuine sweetness and aloha that was, like her voice, so memorable and cherished.

We should be proud that our local community sent her to the greater mainland stage and sound sets. She’s now listed in the Greatest Playbill of All. Mahalo for the gift of yourself to us, Georgia!

Merrie Carol Grain-Norris

Lower Manoa

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