ELLEN B. O'QUINN
July 17, 1928-Dec. 16, 2017
Ellen B. O'Quinn, a ballet dancer who became an advocate for the art form, died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at Brookdale Country Day Road. She was 89.
Ellen was born in Germany July 17, 1928, to the late Johon and Ida Graff Bauersmann.
She served as a principal and soloist with the Metropolitan Opera House in West Germany during World War II.
Ellen later moved to the United States, where she began her future career, teaching.
She married the love of her life, Robert Earl O'Quinn, who preceded her in death June 12, 2003, after more than 50 years of marriage.
In 1963, Ellen founded the Ellen O'Quinn School of Dance in Goldsboro, which was later named Artistic Dance Academy.
She never lost her love for dance, and her greatest pleasure was teaching students in dance, a number of whom achieved professional success over the years.
Ellen lived a life of dedication to her family and friends and to her community.
She served her community many ways from starting a community theatre known as Carolina Theatre Dance Ensemble to baking cookies for the children at O'Berry Center at Christmas to organizing the first
Nutcracker Ballet in Goldsboro to help raise monies for the students to travel to Europe.
Above all, she loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her precious grandchildren.
She will also be missed by the many students she taught through the years.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home.
A service to celebrate Ellen's life will be held Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, at 11 a.m. in the chapel, with pastor Andy Stovall officiating. Interment will follow in Wayne Memorial Park.
Ellen is survived by her children, Carmen O'Quinn, Durwood O'Quinn and wife, Margaret, Patrick O'Quinn and wife, Rose, Patricia O. Warren and husband, John, and Chris O'Quinn; grandchildren, Boogie O'Quinn, Erica Thompson, Jackie O'Quinn, Stacey O'Quinn, Michelle and Joe Richardson, Sabrina Taylor, Rhonda Blizzard, Robert O'Quinn, Brian O'Quinn, Mariah and Jeff Fisher, Crystal and Joe Boudy, Shane O'Quinn, Chuckie O'Quinn, Tara Warren, John Thomas Warren, Shannon Rogers, Brandy O'Quinn and John Lancaster Jr.; 19 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Edgar O'Quinn, and sister, Hilda Umstead.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 930B Wellness Drive, Greenville, N.C., 27834.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on December 19, 2017 8:05 AM