Judy Annis (1931-2009)

ANNIS, GREEN

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 8/22/2009 at 16:08:56

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Friday, August 21, 2009.

Judy Annis, 78, dance instructor, choreographer and performer, died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at her home in Arlington, Va., of complications due to colon cancer. The family will hold a private memorial service.

Ms. Annis, daughter of the late Albert C. and Irma H. Green and sister of the late Robert and Donald Green, was born in 1931 in Newton and raised in Ames. Upon graduating from the University of Northern Iowa, she received a scholarship to The Julliard School, where she studied modern dance under luminaries such as Martha Graham, Hanya Holm and José Limón.

In 1959, Ms. Annis moved to Gettysburg, Pa., where she taught physical education for several years at Keefauver Elementary School. In 1961, she joined the department of physical education at Gettysburg College, where she created the college’s program of modern dance. During her 18 years with the college, she helped establish its performing artists program in music, theater and dance, and invited newly formed, groundbreaking companies such as Pilobolus and Mummenschanz to perform.

After leaving Gettysburg, Ms. Annis taught dance independently in Pittsburgh, before moving to Washington, D.C. There, in 1985, she joined The George Washington University’s Department of Theater and Dance, serving as executive aide to the chairman and production manager of the department’s main stage events. After retiring in 2001, she remained active in the local dance community, mentoring many dancers and dance companies, as well as teaching aerobics part time.

Ms. Annis enjoyed gardening, sewing, interior designing and distance walking. In 2003, she helped open Restaurant Sidney, a fine-dining establishment in East Berlin, Pa., with her youngest son, chef/owner Neil Annis. She remained passionately dedicated to its operations until her untimely death.

In addition to her youngest son, Neil, Ms. Annis is also survived by three other children: her son, Eric Annis, of Takoma Park, Md., her daughter, Erin Annis, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and her daughter, Marcia Annis, of Arlington, Va.; and two grandsons, Jacob Daniel and Lawson Rice.

http://www.amestrib.com/
 

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