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Edward Stewart, ballet director, dies
Edward Stewart, artistic director of the Ballet Theatre of Maryland since its birth as the Ballet Theatre of Annapolis in 1980, died of lung cancer July 30, 2002 at Stella Maris Hospice at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore after a long illness.
"Eddie" Stewart was considered the heart and soul of this widely respected ballet company, establishing its reputation as the largest professional ballet company in the state. He built a large classical and modern repertory and a reputable ballet school. The BTM is now considered an integral part of the region's arts scene.
"He was a humanist, " said director and choreographer Tony Wilson of Severna Park, formerly a BTM company member. "He had a great talent for helping others to discover their strengths and choreographing to those strengths. He told me one of the most important things was that people treat each other with respect and a sense of humanity."
Born in Kulpmont, Pa., Mr. Stewart began his career with Norman Craig in Philadelphia and further studies at the Igor Youskevitch School of Ballet and the American Ballet School in New York. He danced as a soloist with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Chicago Ballet Company, Chicago Chamber Ballet, the Maryland Ballet Company and the Cincinnati Summer Opera.
He was on the faculty of the Baltimore School for the Arts and taught at Towson State University for many years.
Mr. Stewart danced in virtually all the classical ballets and performed works by most of the noted choreographers. He and his partner, Janice Barringer of New York, performed extensively throughout the United States as duo concert artists.
"His friends surrounded him at the end and showered him with an outpouring of love, " Ms. Barringer said.
His original choreography, described as "tireless, imaginative and dynamic, " was central to BTM's repertoire over the years, with ballets ranging from "Dracula" and "The Eleventh Commandment" to "Beauty and the Beast" and "Alice in Wonderland."
His "Nutcracker" delighted audiences in Ananpolis each Christmas season with its many surprises and his cameo appearance as Herr Drosselmeyer.
He received the Maryland Council for Dance Distinguished Service Award in 1992 and the prestigious Individual Artist Award in Choreography from the Maryland State Arts Council in 1993.
Surviving are his siblings, Rita, Henry and Michael Stewart, Jaqueline Belletiere and Theresa Paul, all of Pennsylvania, and several nieces and nephews. He was the son of the the late Michael and Alice Stewart.
A memorial Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Aug. 9 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles St., Baltimore.
Memorial contributions may be made to Stella Maris Hospice at Mercy, 301 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21202.
Lennis Cipy
Lennis Cipy, 75, of Elizabethton, Tenn., died July 30, 2002 at Unicoi County Memorial Hospital in Erwin, Tenn.
Mrs. Cipy was a native of Bristol, Va., daughter of the late John Thomas and Sophia Tester Adams.
She worked at Magnavox in Johnson City, Tenn., for a number of years, retiring in 1989.
She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Elizabethton.
Her husband, Mike Cipy, died in 1981, and one daughter, Laurie Mayflower, in 2001. She was also predeceased by three brothers, John Adams Jr. and Robert and Billy Ray Adams.
Surviving are three daughters, Robin Bieberly of Unicoi, Norma Davis of Annapolis and Marie McDowell of Johnson City; one son, Michael Cipy of Knoxville, Tenn.; three sisters, Lucille Starnes of Erwin and Jean Ward and Shirley Tester of Johnson City; one brother, James Adams of Watauga, Tenn.; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
The family will receive friends at 6 tonight at Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N. Main St., Erwin, where services will be at 8 p.m. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Evergreen cemetery in Erwin. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family via Valley@Funeral-Plans.com.
Donald Furr
Donald Furr, 74, retired chairman and chief executive officer of Furr's Cafeterias of Lubbock, Texas, died of heart failure July 30, 2002 at the Spa Creek Center, Genesis ElderCare Network.
From 1959 to 1985 Mr. Furr headed the company, which grew into the second largest cafeteria chain in the United States. Today Furr's has more than 90 locations in the West and Southwest.
Born Aprill 14, 1928, in Amarillo, Texas, he received a business degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He later served on the university's President's Council.
He was formerly a member of the board of the University of Texas Foundation and the chancellor's executive committee; president and campaign manager of the Crippled Children's Society; and a member of the National Association of Food Chains.
He was officially commended by the Texas Senate for his exceptional career in food service.
A resident of Annapolis for 15 years, Mr. Furr was a member of St. Anne's Episcopal Church where he enjoyed attending the Saturday morning men's group. His interests included sailing, golf, cooking, flying and painting.
Surviving are his wife, Margaret Furr; three sons, Jonathan Hope of Silver Spring, David Hope of Santa Fe, N.M., and Daniel Hope of Memphis, Tenn.; two daughters, Carol Lea of Austin, Texas, and Carol Plumlee of St. Simon, Ga.; one sister, Shelley Bates of Lubbock; and 11 grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Church Circle. Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, Attention: Patty Hill-Callahan, 100 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201, or online to www.hopkinsmedicine.org/supporthopkins.html directed to Cardiovascular Service and noted In Memory of Don Furr.
Rosalee Offer
Rosalee Offer, 74, of Annapolis, died July 29, 2002 at the Spa Creek Center, Genesis ElderCare Network. The cause of death was not available.
The daughter of the late Irene McDowell and stepdaughter of the late Harvey McDowell, Mrs. Offer was born on Sept. 3, 1927, in Glen Burnie and attended Anne Arundel County public schools.
She worked as a lab attendant for many years at Anne Arundel Medical Center and subsequently at the Naval Academy in the laundry and dry cleaning service, where she received numerous awards. She retired after 35 years of service.
Mrs. Offer was known for her recitation of the 23rd Psalm. She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church and enjoyed collecting plants, travel and shopping.
Surviving are her husband of 52 years, William A. Offer Sr.; three sons, Leslie Rhodes of Gretna, La., Byron Offer and William Offer Jr. of Annapolis; three daughters, Delinda Johnson of Baltimore and Wanda Offer and Claudia Calloway of Annapolis; one twin brother, Elroy Johnson of Annapolis; two sisters, Cleola Johnson and Hana Duval of Annapolis; 17 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow with a Christian wake at 10:30 a.m. and funeral service at 11 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 87 West St. Burial will be in Bestgate Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Reese and Sons Mortuary.
Warren Peters
Warren D. Peters, 58, of Annapolis and previously of Lothian, died of cancer July 28, 2002 at his home.
Mr. Peters was born Sept. 16, 1943, in Lothian and attended Anne Arundel County public schools. He worked as a chief engineer for the school system before his illness.
He was a member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Lothian and the Naptown PT Cruiser Club. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, sports and historic vehicles.
Surviving are his fiancee, Louise Powell of Annapolis; his mother, Mary N. Peters of Lothian; one son, Robert D. Peters of Glen Burnie; two daughters, Terry Brown and Shirley Lisa Peters Craft, both of Annapolis; five stepsons, Lance Baden of Georgia and Lon Powell, Larry Powell Jr., Earl Hall and Roland Holland, all of Annapolis; and nine grandchildren.
Also surviving are five brothers, Bobbie Peters of Forestville, Marlin Peters of Bowie, Harold Peters of Accokeek, Purnell Peters of Largo and Kelvin Peters of Wilmington, Del.; and five sisters, Betty Peters of Lothian, Barbara Gray of Owings, Jacquelyn Turner of Annapolis, Arnella Parker of Owings Mills and Felicia Savoy of Brandywine.
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. tomorrow at Reese and Sons Mortuary, 821 West St. A Christian wake will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 41 Ark Road, Lothian. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Patricia Thibodeau
Patricia Jean "Pat" Thibodeau, 63, of Riva for 14 years and previously of Cheverly, died July 31, 2002 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer for 3 years.
Mrs. Thibodeau was born Aug. 17, 1938, in Indiana, Pa. She had worked with the Voice of America and the Pan American Union.
She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. She was an exceptional tennis player and enjoyed gardening, reading and providing a warm home for family and friends.
Surviving are her husband, Rowell Oliver "Jack" Thibodeau; two sons, James Michael Thibodeau of Denver, Colo., and John Eric Thibodeau of Stevensville; her parents, Cecil and Cecilia Anderson of Indiana, Pa.; one brother, Robert Anderson of Indiana, Pa.; six sisters, Mary Ann Ashcroft and Marty Muniz of Cleveland, Ohio, Nina Siedleck of Bowie, Peggy McAleer of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Bernadette Tanberg of Denver and Noreen McQuade of Blairsville, Pa.; and three grandchildren.
Visitation is from 4 to 7 tonight at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, where a celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Arrangements are by Kalas Funeral Home in Edgewater.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 8424 Veterans Highway, Millersville, MD 21108.
