Wally Dashiell

Just past her 100th birthday, Mrs. Wally Dashiell, of Stevensville, passed away quietly, Aug. 14, surrounded by family and friends while at Compass Hospice in Centreville. An icon in Queen Anne’s County and beyond, Wally’s love of life was contagious. As a dancer and dance instructor, her students knew and loved her well. Many of them attended the birthday celebration in her honor last November. She was born to the late Paul and Marie Heiber of Germany, October 31, 1923. She is pre-deceased by her brother, Gerhard Leiber, of Germany, and her sister, Erika Leiber-Witzleben of Toronto, Canada. She is survived by her only son, Edwin and his wife, Janet, as well as their two adult sons, Charles and Eric Dashiell, all of Falling Waters, WVA. Also, her niece of Toronto, Canada, Christa Morgan, great niece Susan Morgan, and great nephew David Morgan. Great-great nieces, Sophia and Laila. Wally’s late husband, George Dashiell, originally of Cambridge, Maryland passed away 16 years ago. Both Wally and George were founding members of the Kent Island Elks Lodge 2576, in Stevensville, in 1978. Wally was a member of the former “Ladies of the Elks”, until it was disbanded more than a decade ago, when women were permitted to join as regular Elk members with the men. Wally was born in the eastern part of Germany. She grew-up in Germany, and learned to dance ballet in her early teens, even though her parents disapproved of her dancing. She excelled as a ballerina, performing even during WWII in Germany. After the war, while living in Berlin, she met U.S. Army Sgt. George Dashiell in a dance hall for American soldiers. She recalled, “I was impressed with George immediately. He was a gentleman, which many of the soldiers were not! We began dating after the initial meeting, and soon we were married.” George and Wally were married in Germany. Their son, Edwin, was also born in Germany, before George was finished serving his tour of duty with the Army, while stationed there. The Dashiell’s returned to Cambridge after George was honorably discharged from the military. Wally became a dance instructor while living in Cambridge, starting the Dashiell School of Dancing, in the late 1940s. While beginning her school, Wally was approached by African American parents, asking if she would teach their children ballet? She agreed to do so, but, because segregation was still enforced during the late 40s and early 1950s in Maryland and across the U.S., Wally agreed to teach all children, but had to do it in separate locations. As the Civil Rights movement progressed, she recalled dance recitals were held at a public school building, and the recitals no longer were held separately. “We had to obey the law,” said Wally. “We then began holding recitals and training sessions together, both Black and white children! I remember losing three white children because we were now integrated.” George and Wally moved to historic, downtown Stevensville in the early 1950s, converting the two-story building they bought into their home (upstairs), and dance studio (downstairs). Wally trained her students to the highest standards of dance, promoted by the national dance organization known as “Dance Master of America”. This organization provides certification for dance instructors. Wally served as an officer for many years with Dance Masters. Many of her students went on to perform at the Kennedy Center each year in the Christmas Season performances of the Nutcracker, as well as performances in New York City along, and on Broadway. Dr. Carol Thompson, former Superintendent of Schools for Queen Anne’s County Public Schools, and QACPS dance teacher and “2022 Teacher of the Year”, at Kent Island High School, Amber Wright, were both taught ballet by Wally. Thompson said, “Mrs. Dashiell taught me to have confidence and poise, skills I’ve needed throughout my career.” Wright always introduces herself as a “graduate of Dashiell School of Dancing”, and whenever Wally would come to her dance recitals at the high school, she’d introduce her to the audiences. After teaching at her school for more than 60-years, Wally retired in 2012, at the age of 89, and the school closed. At the age of 60, Wally was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery and was a breast cancer survivor for over 40-years. The last several years of her life, she enjoyed attending the annual Bosom Buddies Ball, in Annapolis, a major fundraiser to promote breast cancer research, and especially breast cancer prevention. Following breast cancer surgery, Wally became involved in the Maryland Senior Olympics, first as a competitive swimmer, quickly transitioning to track and field events. She said, “Swimming was too slow for me. I liked the variety track and field provided.” And, Wally did it all! She did all the running events and field events. Just five years ago, she held 20 state and national Sr. Olympics track and field records. One state record dating back to when she was in her 70s. When that was reported to her two-years ago, she said, “Was I ever 70-years old!?”. When she turned 89, she had knee replacement surgery. Her doctor told her, “I shouldn’t do this surgery on you because of your age.” She replied to the doctor, “I can’t go on living with the pain in my knee. If I die while having surgery, don’t you give it a second thought!” The surgery was a success. Two years later, she had hip replacement surgery, at age 91. In both cases, she recovered, and continued competing in the Sr. Olympics, however, her doctor told her, “No more running or jumping events at the Olympics! If you break either your knee or hip that have been replaced, there will be no fixing it.” She focused on competing in throwing events over the past decade. She competed in her final competition at the national games held in Pittsburgh, PA, in July 2023. She came home with three gold medals; one in javelin, one in shot put, and one in discus. She often spoke about the friendships she made during the Sr. Olympic competitions. Slowly, she admitted, “most of these friends have passed away over the years, and I miss them!” At the games in Pittsburgh, as she was introduced to “the younger athletes” as the oldest female competitor at age 100, you could see on the faces of the other, younger athletes, the thought that may they too would one day be competing at 100 years old. It was very clear those who saw her compete were moved by her determination to be there, and not give up on life in general. She was inducted into the first class of the Maryland Senior Olympians Hall of Fame almost two-decades ago. She was unofficially the Eastern Shore’s ambassador for the Maryland Sr. Olympics, always encouraging anyone 50-years of age, or older, “to find a sport you like, and come compete and have fun at the Sr. Olympics.” She said, “I’d often hear people say, ‘I can’t do things like that anymore. I have too many pains.’ I would reply, I have pains too, but I don’t let that stop me. I still have fun at the Olympics!” Wally Dashiell’s celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, Nov. 2, beginning at 1 p.m. It will be held at the Kent Island Elks, Lodge 2576, located at 2525 Romancoke Road, Stevensville, MD, 21666. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Wally’s name to either the Carole Cascio Dance Foundation, c/o Chesapeake Charities, 101 Log Canoe Circle, Suite O, Stevensville, Md. 21666, or Bosom Buddies Charities, Inc., P.O. Box 112, Stevensville, Md. 21666. Both are registered 501©3 charities.

Wally Dashiell

October 31, 1923 - August 14, 2024