Remembering Rochelle Gartner who ran "Dance With France" in Calgary.
Rochelle Marie Gartner Primiterra
Rochelle passed away peacefully on August 23, at the age of 46, at her home in Calgary after fighting a courageous battle with Glioblastoma. Rochelle is survived by her loving husband Frank Primiterra, her parents Celine and Don Gartner, and her brothers and sisters Francine, Andrew, Micheline and Dale. Rochelle will be fondly remembered by her many nieces, nephews, and close friends too numerous to mention. She loved to perform and travel the world entertaining internationally, on cruise ships, and for numerous Canadian shows. Rochelle was the Owner/Artistic Director of award winning Dance with France Studios and Artist Elite International, where she touched the lives of thousands of students she taught and mentored. Rochelle’s passionate love of dance and energy lives on in her students. She was highly respected within the Calgary dance community. Rochelle continued dancing, teaching and performing throughout her battle with Glioblastoma. She was an advocate, raising funds for Glioblastoma research. Her passion for life was contagious. Rochelle will be remembered for her courage, kindness, artistry, dedication, discipline, grace, strength, infectious laugh and beautiful spirit. For more information follow this link. https://linktr.ee/Rochellesarmy
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Oonagh McNerney..(Young)
It is with sadness that I post the passing of Oonagh Ada McNerney...She was a bright light in the early days of my dancing....Her and her husband Frank ran Delmar Dance Studios...She Passed in Toronto in November of 2018...She will be remembered fondly by her family and friends....She had a vast amount of Charisma....
Oonagh pictured below...
McNERNEY, OONAGH (nee YOUNG) Enjoy life. L
Oonagh Young McNerney
McNERNEY, OONAGH (nee YOUNG) Enjoy life. Look lovely. Take care of yourself. Advice from Oonagh McNerney (nee Young), who passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, November 26, 2018. Oonagh was an extraordinary woman who charmed everyone who was fortunate enough to meet her. Her enthusiasm for life, humour and random compliments to strangers brought smiles and laughter wherever she went. Oonagh was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and was orphaned at a young age. After graduating from George Watson's Ladies College, she immigrated to Canada at the age of 18 and spent all of her money on two weeks of dance instructor training at Arthur Murray School. There she met her husband Frank and they became champion ballroom dancers. Together they built dance studios across Western Canada and starred in a TV show called "Let's Dance" while raising their three children, Michael, Susan and Shannon. Eventually Oonagh and Frank moved from the dance business to start Extrufix, a plastics manufacturing company. In her role as President of Extrufix, Oonagh had the honour of representing Canada as the first woman on an international trade mission to Japan, continuing to promote Canadian exports on subsequent missions with Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Having been raised on both sides of the class divide in Scotland, Oonagh was comfortable talking to anyone: She could carry on a conversation with a king or a biker. She embraced marginalized communities. She was a pioneer ally for the LGBTQ community and champion (and often benefactor) for fellow immigrants and women who needed a leg up in life. Oonagh led Extrufix well into her 70s and then she took her energy in a new direction by volunteering. She brought comfort in the Emergency ward at the Sand Lake Hospital in Orlando and her famous vivaciousness to the YMCA. She also continued to live out the legacy of her dance days by bringing the party to all the local hotspots. There was no wallflower Oonagh could not entice onto the dance floor. She believed everyone was a star. She was a snowbird and enjoyed the community of her many friends at the Manulife Centre in Toronto when the sun was shining. Oonagh was predeceased by her husband Frank - her partner in love, dance and business, her loving sister Maureen and her beautiful daughter Shannon. She will be sorely missed by her son Michael (Donna) and her daughter Susan (Jim) and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as her friends and family in the US and the UK. A special thanks to Andy and her friends at the Oak Ridges Retirement Community. To all of us she will forever be an inspiration and model of someone who chose happiness for her own life - and spread it wherever she went. Visitation and service at Marshall's Funeral Home at 10366 Yonge St., Richmond Hill at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28th with reception to follow at the home of Rebecca MacDonald.
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Nicole Thiessen
Nicole passed away and our thoughts are with Jonathon and his Grandma Shirley Doncaster..She took dancing at the same time when Jonathon came to the ACAD....her passing was far too young in her life. 1980 to 2019
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Una Patricia (Moloney) O'Flaherty
(11/01/1937 - 07/02/2018)
O'FLAHERTY (nee Moloney), Una Patricia, It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Una O'Flaherty on Monday, July 2, 2018. Una was born in Dublin, Ireland on November 1, 1937, one of five children. She was a great talker with an amazing memory for names, dates and events. Una was never short of advice, nor was she shy about sharing her opinions over a strong pot of tea. Una will be remembered fondly for her bottomless bucket of worries—the burden of care—she always carried with her. She is predeceased by her husband, Gerry, of fifty years. She will be deeply missed by her children Geraldine, Philip (Karen), Deirdre and Mark; her grandsons, Connor and Christopher, and her close friends. Una's family will converge in Dublin to celebrate her life. A memorial service will be held in Calgary at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Pianist & Reception
JEAN HELMS
OCTOBER 30TH 2016
ACAD DANCE ALUMNI....it's a sad day for the DANCE ALUMNI, Mrs. Jean Helms (Pianist, Receptionist, Mr. C's Sister In Law) passed away on Sunday. Her Health has been failing the past few years, but she past away due to a series of Strokes On Sunday October 30th in the afternoon. (Foothills Hospital) She had been admitted a few weeks ago with breathing problems and a very high blood pressure condition. Many of you had Mrs. Helms play for your ballet exams, from a young age right up into the higher grades. (your RAD, your ISTD, and some of you had her play for your Al Gilbert Exams as well.) I hope those of you that knew her will take a moment and remember her and her contribution to the studio and your life in the Dance. She was very exact in her craft and examiners asked often that she play for other schools. She also played for RAD workshops when new work and syllabus changes were made. She was with the studio for 35 years. Thank you.
She is survived by her daughters Kathy (Russel) and Diana, and by her loving sister Rosemary. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren Jason (Tamara), Natalie (Kyle), and Vanessa. She is survived by her great-grandchildren Alaura, Jillian, and Diesel, Jayden and Jesse and Olivia and Sophia, and great-great-grandson Maddox. Jean is also survived by nephews Jason and Graham (Allyson) and great-niece Avalyn, and her adored brother-in-law Allan Cozzubbo, as well as family in England. She is predeceased by her mother and father, Margery and Harry Betts, and many beloved pets. Jean was a precious, loving, caring and kind and gentle woman, filled with generosity. She faced challenges with grace and determination, most recently by the loss of her vision. Jean was a gifted and well known pianist. Starting at a young age she was performing, teaching, and she played at the Allan Cozzubbo Academy of Dancing for over 25 years. She was a student of Leonard Leacock. Jean was an animal lover and voracious reader, and follower of news, and was talented in fine needlework. She had a wonderful sense of humor. She has been privately cremated as per her wishes. The family expresses their gratitude for the efforts and compassionate care given to Jean by the medical staff at Foothills and Rockyview Hospital
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Mardyne Davey
Mardyne Davey
We are sad to post that Mardyne Davey passed on January 9th 2013 . He will be missed. Mardyne danced with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet after he left the ACAD.
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Margarat Darough 1924 to 2017
Receptionist at the South Studio.
Margaret was born in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1924, and the family moved to Calgary in 1928. She graduated from Western Canada High School and went to work as a typist for Dominion. She then worked as a bookkeeper for Tyrells Florist, and after that went on to work as a clerk at central mortgage and housing. She married her best friend Kenneth Darough in 1951. In later years she worked part time in Woodward’s office, then Allan Cozzubbo Academy of Dancing. Margaret loved playing bridge and spent many hours teaching her grandchildren how to play and how to master the art of a “poker face”. She enjoyed crocheting, until her eyesight and memory got the best of her. Margaret was a founding member of St. Andrews Heritage Seniors.
Jean Gauld above centre...(with her parents) was one of my cousin Lillian's Dance Teahers. (Lillian Cozzubbo Coulson). They teamed up and did a routine "Me and My Shadow". (Lillian the shadow in white--they also did a Spanish Duet taking turns playing the castanetes).
More news of Jean Gauld below.
Jean Gauld & Joan Patterson befriended me when I took teaching seriously and helped me with joining the APDTA. When Jean passed she had willed me her dance treasures including a "Chinese Princess" costume that both her & Lillian had used.
She was Lillian Cozzubbo Coulson's teachers. She also was president of the APDTA for a few years when she was finished teaching. When she passed away I was given a lot of her Dance Memorabia
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Trudy Sorensen Diaz
graduation picture from the U. Of A. in 1994.
Trudy Graduated from the U of A in Occupational Therapy in 1994. While she was a student, Trudy's love of dance and choreography continued in the group, Orchesis, a modern dance program on campus. In 1993 Trudy was awarded the Dorothy Harris trophy of achievement. Upon graduation Trudy was a travelling therapist in the USA. She married Cesar Diaz in April 2000 in Mandeville, LA. In June 2004 she had a son, Marcus. Trudy was a tireless chairperson of committees for "Relay for Life" in LA, OR, and Fl. After a ten year struggle with breast cancer, Trudy passed away Feb 3rd 2007 in Pensacola, Fl.. A scholarship in Trudy's memory has been established at the U. Of A. It is the Trudy Sorensen Scholarship in Blomedical Materials Engineering. Trudy is fondly remembered by her family, Allan Cozzubbo, Lynette Fry-Abra, Debbie Black, & her Dance Friends from the Academy.
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Ellen Ravvin
1960 -2023
Ellen Ravvin July 16, 1960 – May 12, 2023 It is with a very heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved sister, Ellen Ravvin. Ellen fought an excruciating 90-day battle for her life at the Foothills Hospital but sadly her heart and lungs said no more to the relentless fight. Ellen was known for her strength, fierce compassion, love and loyalty. Her friends will remember a person who set the standard for choosing gratitude and focusing on the positive. Not to mention the laughter! Ellen is survived by her adoring wife Anita McCracken and her siblings Loretta and Murray Flood; Her immediate family, led by our fearless leader, our father, Lionel Ravvin, my brother Mitchell Ravvin, his life partner Sharon Cirankewitch, and myself Jane Ravvin. She is predeceased by our beautiful mother, Mona Ravvin. Ellen received her Interior Design degree in 1983 at Westland College, Sacramento, CA. However, the joy in my sister's life was most definitely her Menswear store of 28 years, The Place For Men. Her loyal customers loved the experience and trusted her amazing gift of styling Mens’ fashion. Ellen made it through two recessions and one pandemic!! A rare feat for
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Lois Smith & David Adams above
Lois Smith Passed away January 23rd 2011 at the age of 81 after a lengthy decline caused by Alzheimer's. Lois was the first homegrown prima ballerina of the National Ballet. Her and her husband. David Adams, were known in their dance times as Mr. & Mrs. Ballet. They both were made officers of the "Order Of Canada". Lois adjudicated at one of the ADEA's Festival in Edmonton.
David Adams passed in October of 2007.
Lois Smith adjudicated at the ADEA Edmonton Festival and at our ACAD Interschool. David Adams adjudicated at the WRDAA competition in Calgary the year we did the production "Bolero" listed as Ravel & at an Interschool for ACAD. Many of our student alumni would have certificates signed by both of these super splendid dancer/danseurs
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David Peregrine above was a principal dancer with the RWB and passed in 1989. David did a workshp for the Ballet Students in the ACAD Academy in 1988. He was a gifted Artist and was taken from us far too young.
Tanya Lynne Baylis
Tanya passed away suddenly in Coasta Rica on March 12 2006, at the age of 32. She had a beautiful free spirit who had a passion for dance and the fine arts. She went on to dance with the "Artistique Performing Arts Group".
She is sadly missed.
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Tink Robinson
I was sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Tink Robinson....he was a wealth of knowledge...He helped many of us in the Dance...Many of you will remember him as an adjudicator at our Interschool as well as his wife Judy Armstrong, and Tink also adjudicated at the Alberta Dance Festival in Edmonton..Dance Always Tink
ROBINSON, Grant "Tink"
June 4, 1937 – Oct. 31, 2015
Beloved husband, father, brother, Mason, Shriner, uncle and friend passed into Spirit in his home, surrounded by his wife, Judy, son, Dan, and daughter-in-law, Tammy. Tink will be remembered for his smile, his zany sense of humour, talent, wisdom, quick wit and his unconditional love. A 60-year veteran of professional entertainment, Tink amassed more than 200 national television shows, eight years of GM Dealer shows, seven seasons with Theatre Under The Stars, toured Canada with Best Of Spring Thaw and was choreographer/performer with the Wayne and Shuster Show for five seasons. For 13 summer seasons (1972-76 and 1982-89), Tink and his wife, Judy Armstrong, created their theatrical shows in the Wild Horse Theatre at Heritage Fort Steele, BC
GLORIA HART
(Hart School of Dancing)
Gloria Hart--Gloria ran the "Hart School of Dancing" and when she passed in 1975, her daughters Susan, and Maureen took over the school. Michael Hart came up through the ranks. Gloria was also one of the Dance Enthusiasts who were instumental in bringing Mr. Al Gilbert to the winter workshop sponsored by the ATDA now the ADEA. This was in the mid 1960's and the exams in his syllabus were launched. Mr. C. had met Al Gilbert prior to his workshop at a convention in New York City. His Exams in his creative work are still being conducted by organizer Nancy Hays Dickie in Edmonton. (as of 2011) Stepping Tones Records is now "Music Works".
Helen Mintz Pengelly
Obituary...published in the Calgary Herald July 2nd 2016..After a long battle with Cancer she passed peacefully surrounded by her family and closest friends. Helen was full of life and those of us that knew her in her years taking Dance at ACAD enjoyed her and her family.
Carol Nielsen
CAROL NIELSEN: (passed January 2008)
Taken from us far too Young! Miss Nielsen was a beautiful loving teacher for the Academy and we remember her very fondly. ( as a student & teacher for 28 years.) Carol Nielsen was an expert dancer and her main love was the BALLET. She mastered the "RAD, Dance Education Syllabus"and had an impressive record of successful Ballet Exam Candidates. She danced with the Calgary Rockettes & taught for the Christopher Robin School Ballet program, as an outreach program of the Academy. Carol also did choreography for the Calgary Dance Workshop. (A fun number.."The Shoemaker") When she did her Al Gilbert Tap 7 Exam, Mr Gilbert asked me if he could give her 100 % and get a higher mark then myself. Of Course she could be BETTER then Mr. C. She Was!!--On the same note Pat Rico (Al Gilberts Brother) gave Carol a 1st place gold medal for a Tap Solo at the ADEA Festival....As a ballet dancer, Carol did up and above the RAD syllabus exams, also did the ISTD exams, with an impressive mark of Honours on her Intermediate, and Highly Commended on her Advanced. (Two of her teachers, Miss Nancy Wilson and Mr. C. found her very technical with a solid drive towards her artistry!)
Carol used to say, that the students should know your methods and that you shouldn't change your personalities or discipline action, too drastically...Don't intimidate!!...so true Carol.
Lisa Sauve, Carol Nielsen's cousin writes: It was so nice to bring my girls to this site, to see Carol, in some of her glory pictures and read the wonderful memorial. My girls now dance with Dawn Marie Fox Jackson, and it was very neat for them to see the tradition passed on through the years. Thanks for this, It Made Me SMILE!
Carol's sister Shirley Nielsen Wayte would like to thank all the dancers and parents who came to celebrate her sister Carol's life at her memorial service. It was wonderful to see all of you and to have your support when it was most needed. A scholarship was created by the Wild Rose Dance Arts Association in Carol's memory which is awarded to the dancer with the highest mark in any solo aged 15 and over at their festival every May. It has been my honor to attend the award ceremony each year in order to hand out the scholarship personally and to be able to speak briefly about Carol , so her memory does remain alive.
Lillian Rosaria Coulson (Cozzubbo)
Arnold Spohr above
Arnold Spohr was Artistic Directior of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet for 30 years. (1958 to 1988). He was the first Canadian born Ballet Dancer to be the A.D. He passed on April 22nd 2010 of a Chronic Kidney Disease. Arnold was very instrumental for the RWB becoming one of Canada's Top Ballet Companies. He was an officer of the "Order of Canada". We were fortunate to have Mr. Spohr teach a workshop at the studio.
We will remember his strong but humorous manner!
