How One Woman’s Passion for Music and Community Changed SaddleBrooke Forever
There are voices you remember not only for their beauty, but for the way they make you feel uplifted, understood, connected to something larger than yourself. In SaddleBrooke, Tucson, and far beyond, the voice and presence of Madeleine Fiorino, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 96, was one of those rare gifts. Her legacy, built on music and unwavering kindness, is still felt in the halls where her voice once echoed and in the hearts of the community she called home.
Even now, years after her passing, echoes of Madeleine’s influence can still be heard. Whether in the gentle rise and fall of a Gregorian chant at Mountain View Country Club, in the laughter of neighbors sharing her stories, or in the determination of those she inspired to pursue their own passions, her impact is still a living, breathing part of SaddleBrooke. SaddleBrooke itself became her chosen home in retirement a place where she shared her gifts and helped others discover their own voices.
Born for the Stage
Madeleine Turgeon was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1925, into a French-Canadian family where music and language intertwined from the beginning. Her childhood home was alive with melody. A first choir for a young girl. By age four, Madeleine was singing in church, and by nine, she hosted her own Canadian radio show, charming listeners with songs in six languages. “Music was as natural to me as breathing,” she would later recall, a sentiment echoed by those who knew her.
Recognizing her extraordinary talent, her family arranged for lessons with Caruso’s famed singing coach when Madeleine was just eight. By her early teens, her reputation as a prodigy reached across borders, opening the door to an ambitious new chapter.
A Daring Journey to New York
At twelve, Madeleine made a bold leap; traveling alone to New York City to study at the prestigious Pius X School of Liturgical Music. There, she immersed herself in Gregorian chant, polyphony, organ, and choral conducting, surrounded by some of the finest instructors in the field. Juilliard would soon award her a scholarship, and she thrived, learning from and performing with the city’s best. Along the way, she caught the attention of luminaries like radio pioneer Kate Smith and composer Richard Rodgers, experiences that only further fueled her passion.
Achievements on the World’s Biggest Stages
At just eighteen, Madeleine debuted at the Metropolitan Opera House as Micaela in Carmen. Her career then soared: she performed on Broadway alongside Ethel Merman in Annie Get Your Gun and Shirley Jones in Oklahoma!, became a regular at Radio City Music Hall, and was a familiar voice on the radio show “Coast to Coast on the Bus.” She even bested Lenny Bruce and Sarah Vaughan in Major Bowes’ famed Amateur Hour talent competition. A friend to Robert Goulet and a sought-after performer in film and on stage, Madeleine was equally known for her humility and warmth backstage. “People remember the show, but I remember the friendships,” she once said.
Setbacks, Service, and Reinvention
Not all was easy. A serious lung condition forced Madeleine to step back from her meteoric rise and reimagine her life. But she refused to be sidelined for long. After recovering, she returned to music this time focused on family, education, and service. She married Emilio “Lee” Fiorino, moved to Colorado, and together they raised five children. Even as a mother, Madeleine found ways to nurture her passion for music: conducting church choirs, teaching voice, and founding award-winning boys’ and community choirs. Her teaching and leadership touched hundreds of students, many of whom went on to have musical careers of their own.
Faith, Heritage, and Advocacy
Throughout her life, Madeleine’s music was always intertwined with faith and deep spirituality. She taught in seminaries, led liturgical music programs, and championed sacred music in churches across the country. Her expertise in Gregorian chant made her a sought-after teacher, especially as these ancient traditions risked fading away. She also embraced her Algonquin roots, advocating for Native American causes. In a moment of profound honor, Madeleine was named Asi Potaki Good Flying Woman-by the Blackfoot tribe in Canada, reflecting her belief that music, culture, and spirit are inseparable.
A Lasting Legacy in SaddleBrooke
When Madeleine and Lee retired to SaddleBrooke, she found what she called “a little piece of Heaven on Earth.” Retirement was just another word for new beginnings. She founded the area’s first Gregorian Chant group, inviting neighbors and friends to explore the ancient music she cherished. Her living room became a gathering place for learning, laughter, and song. “She made everyone feel welcome,” remembers a former student. “Even if you were nervous, even if you couldn’t sing in Latin, she’d have you joining in by the end of the night.” The group performed at churches, community events, and anywhere that welcomed them, keeping sacred traditions alive in the desert. You can learn more about SaddleBrooke and its vibrant community here.
Her influence extended beyond music. Madeleine was known for her warmth, quick wit, and deep compassion. She was a gifted storyteller, a devoted friend, and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her children Mark Fiorino (Maureen), Michele Fiorino Smith, Michael Fiorino (Dina), Mary Fiorino Struempler (Dennis), and Matt Fiorino (Stephanie); by her thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The entire family, along with generations of students, carry her memory forward.
Her Song Continues
Even after her passing, Madeleine’s spirit continues to inspire. The SaddleBrooke Singers and her beloved Gregorian Chant group still meet, still sing, and still remember the lessons she shared not just about music, but about life, resilience, and generosity. Her life and legacy are celebrated by all who knew her. For a full remembrance, you can read her official obituary here.
To remember Madeleine Fiorino is to remember a life lived with purpose, with passion, and with a steadfast belief in the power of music to heal and unite. Her voice may be gone, but her song lives on in every chorus, in every student, and in every soul she touched. If you pass by a community center choir rehearsal or hear the echoes of plainchant on a desert breeze, pause and listen. Madeleine’s song is still here carried by those who remember, and those who continue to sing.
Do you have a memory of Madeleine or a story about music in Oro Valley? Share your story here and help keep her legacy alive.
To experience the full celebration of Madeleine Fiorino’s remarkable life, the Fiorino family has shared a two-hour video tribute including stories, music, and memories from loved ones. You can watch the service, held on October 1, 2021 at Elvis Cinemas in Tiffany Plaza, here:
Watch the Fiorino Family’s Video Tribute on YouTube
One of Madeleine’s final wishes was to have “Air on the G String” by J. S. Bach played at her service a piece that meant so much to her throughout her life.