Mary Elaine Forestier's Obituary
Elaine Forestier began her training as a young girl in Waukegan Illinois at the Metzler School of Dance, studying Tap and Ballet. By the time she was 16, she was spending her summers as a dancer in State Fair Shows working for The Carruthers Company. After high school, she auditioned and became a member of the The Mannion Dancers. She traveled throughout the
United States and Canada performing in venues like the Copacabana dancing in the traveling troupe. In 1961, as a divorced mother of Patricia Ann, she moved to Florida to start over. Settling in Dunedin with her older sister, she started teaching dance classes in the Stirling recreation center in Dunedin. Beginning with three students, her business bloomed. With the help of her sister and brother in law, she built the studio at 1260 Friar Tuck Lane, Patricia Ann Dance Studios. Here she spent 30 years working the business mostly by herself with a couple of part time teachers. Additionally, Ms Forestier choreographed shows for the Dunedin High School theater department, Clearwater City Players and Royalty Theatre. Ms. Forestier has been honored by the community for her contributions with many awards, including numerous "Lary Awards" for her choreography in community theatre, the Marcelle Oldershaw Lifetime
Achievement Award for choreography and The Certificate of Recognition from the City of Dunedin for serving the community of families and youth with her dance studio for 50 years.
In 1991, her daughter Patricia Ann, moved back to the Tampa Bay area. Having been in professional theatre for twelve years, a new mom, she was ready to teach. The studio blossomed with the addition of man power. The studio now has two locations, the original at
1260 Friar Tuck Lane and the location at 941 Douglas Avenue. With a full enrollment and nine teachers, the studio now offers ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop Jazz fusion, lyrical, contemporary and Creative dance for the very young dancers. Miss Elaine continued to
teach through the 2013-2014 season, finally retiring at age 92. Her legacy of dancers, teachers and performers continues to move the studio forward into the 57th year of business.
Mary Elaine Forestier is survived by her daughter Patricia McNally, her son-in -law Edmund McNally and her grandsons Zach McNally and Dace McNally.
A Memorial Celebration will be held Sunday April 22nd 2-4:00p.m. At St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 705 Michigan Boulevard Dunedin, Fl. 34698. For more information contact [email protected] or the Studio 727-734-4420.
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