Latin-American singer/actress Lina Romay died Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, of natural causes in Pasadena, Calif. She was 91.
Born Maria Elena Romay, she was the daughter of Porfirio Romay, attaché to the Mexican consulate of Los Angeles. Elena began in Hollywood under contract to Columbia, and then worked briefly at MGM and RKO. Her first film appearance was in 1942 as a singer with the Cugat orchestra in "You Were Never Lovelier" with Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth, and her last film was in 1953, "The Man Behind the Gun," starring Randolph Scott. Between 1942 and 1953, Elena appeared in 15 other films. She also guest starred on television with the Paul Whiteman Show, the Milton Berle Show, the Red Skelton Show, the Jack Carter Show and "Cavalcade of Stars."
With Xavier Cugat's orchestra, Elena headlined at New York City's Waldorf Astoria. In 1953, she gave up show business and married Jay Gould III, and became a homemaker and mother in Los Angeles. They had three children, Anne, born in 1954, Gloria, born in 1956, and Jay IV, who was born in 1961. Elena's husband, Jay, died in 1987. In 1992, she married a longtime friend, comedy writer Bobby O'Brien.
Elena, who was bilingual, became the Spanish language announcer at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Los Angeles during the 1980s. This led to her becoming a member of Southern California Sports Broadcasters, for which she served on its board of directors until her passing. She was also a member of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters.
She was preceded in death by husbands, Jay III and Bobby, her daughter, Anne, and her bother, Phil. She is survived by her children, Gloria Gould Gunter (Jeff) of Bellevue, Idaho, Jay Gould IV (Cathy) of Phoenix, Ariz., and two grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Southern California Sports Broadcasters (info@socalsportsbroadcasters.com) or the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, Box 4866, Valley Village, CA 91617-0866.
