DAMRO, DiAnne M. 1936-2011

DAMRO

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/18/2011 at 10:17:31

DiAnne M. Damro was born Nov. 17, 1936, in Charles City, growing up and graduating from East High in Waterloo in 1954. The daughter of Otto and Leone Waldie Damro. She graduated from Upper Iowa University in 1958 and taught secondary school in Waterloo and Newton. In 1965 she earned a master's from Truman University and went to Iowa State University, Colorado College and Theatre of Two Arts Expression in New York City, where she did post-master's work in dance education. From 1966 to 1977 she became Dance Chair at Fort Hays State, University of Kentucky and the University of Kansas. From 1977 until her retirement in 1997 she worked in arts administration at the Kansas Arts Commission and the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

Ms. Damro's expertise and tenure in the fields of arts administration earned her national recognition. She was a keynote speaker and panelist on arts education for national, regional and statewide conventions. She was on several panels for the National Endowment for the Arts which reviewed education grants and evaluated national arts education policies. Ms. Damro received many awards, among them are a Certificate of Appreciation from the Alliance for Arts Education (John F. Kennedy Center) for support of Arts Education and Honor Award for meritorious service from the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education and Dance (AAHPERD) at the national convention in Boston. She was elected to the National Society of Arts and Letters, Who's Who in American Women and the World's Who's Who of Women. She has held offices in state and national organizations as State Dance Chair for Kansas and Kentucky AAHPERD divisions and president of the National Dance Association.

A prolific writer with over 50 articles in national and state publications, she is recognized as a natural leader for the promotion of arts. Retired in Lawrence, she became vice president of the Lawrence Civic Choir, University of Kansas Women's Studies Board, Speaking of Dance Inc. Board, chair of the Lawrence Arts Commission and Lawrence Community Theatre Board. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and sang in the choir and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi and the University of Kansas Women's Club.

Survivors include Joan Handley of Lawrence, her companion of 27 years, and several cousins. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Lawrence. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Waterloo Cemetery, Waterloo. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society, Trinity Episcopal Choir, Lawrence, Trinity Episcopal Church in Waterloo, or the Visiting Nurses in Lawrence and sent in care of Chapel Oaks, 3821 W. Sixth St., Lawrence, KS 66049. Online condolences may be made at www.chapeloaksne.com.

[Waterloo Courier]