Teacher Takes Her Final Bow

Newcastle Herald

Monday November 3, 2008

GR

WELL-KNOWN Hunter ballet teacher Daphne Parker, 66, died at the weekend following an 18-month battle with cancer.

Her East Maitland school, the Daphne Parker School of Dance, was an institution for ballet and dance for almost 50 years and has turned out generations of dancers including Western Australian Ballet senior dancer and choreographer Holly Carter.

Mrs Parker died on Saturday in Calvary Mater Hospital about 6.30am surrounded by her family.

Her daughter Leanne Le Cleir said her death would leave a huge hole in the city's dance scene.

"It was her passion, all the way up until about two weeks before she died she continued to teach," Ms Le Cleir said.

She said her mother began dancing at age five and had always wanted to teach.

Mrs Parker is survived by her husband Brian, and children Leanne and Stephen.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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