was born Donna Mae Tjaden in Tacoma, Washington, the elder child of Hazel Leah ( Simmons) and George S. Tjaden on September 16, 1922, primarily of Norwegian, German, English, and Cornish descent. She had a younger sister named Betty Jane (June 21, 1925, Tacoma, Washington July 16, 2020, Windsor Locks, Connecticut), who was known by her married name of Betty Jane Finney.

Paige began singing in public at age five in local amateur shows. She moved, with her mother and sister, to Los Angeles after