Frances Lee Levitch (nee Waisblum), 101, passed away on May 1, 2023.
She was born Dec. 10, 1921. At 101-and-a-half years young, this dance/exercise teacher extraordinaire passed gracefully to be reunited with her husband, Morris; mother, Helen Waisblum; father, Nathan Waisblum; and sister, Sylvia Lindsay, who preceded her in passing.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Robin; son-in-law, Don; five grandchildren, Olivia, Jason, Elise (Anthony), Rachel ( Erik), Sarah (Tran); and three great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her brother, Harold Waisblum, and her amazing caregiver and dear friend, Mary Jackson.
As a child of immigrant parents from Poland, growing up in the midst of the Great Depression, Frances was fortunate to receive dance lessons from a family friend. Igniting her passion for dance and theater at a young age, she began a successful career as a professional dancer, initially performing in the night clubs of Kansas City during the 1930s before leaving to join the vaudeville circuit and travel across the country as a dancer and nightclub performer.
Eventually, Frances made her way to New York City, where she and her sister, Sylvia, danced in the Radio City Ballet and in many Broadway musicals, including “Pal Joey.” She worked closely with many prominent entertainers of the time, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Van Johnson and Gene Kelly. She regaled her family with many wonderful stories, recounting her days traveling across the United States as a professional dancer and entertainer, and the many encounters with entertainment royalty as a young woman from the Midwest finding her way in the “Big Apple.”
She met her husband, Morris, while traveling back to Kansas City to visit relatives, and they fell deeply in love. As a result, she moved back to Kansas City and launched her own business, a dance/modeling/exercise studio, which became her life’s work. Ahead of her time, she was one of the first to be an exercise teacher/coach. Quickly developing a loyal following by many Kansas City residents, she was loved and respected by her students. She touched their lives with her keen understanding of the interrelationships of body work and holistic health. She taught exercise and dance in Overland Park in her own studio as well as at the Jewish Community Center, YWCAs, YMCAs, Paola Academy, and her exercise studio at the former Hartzfeld’s.
The past 10 years were a journey for both she and her family as she progressed through advancing stages of Alzheimer’s. Despite this, Frances always maintained her joy and happiness, as well as her childlike insatiable curiosity for life and love of dance, until the end. She left people with an indelible impression of how to maintain positivity and dignity as one ages, no matter what the obstacles faced. Fond memories of her will remain a constant in the hearts of her loved ones as well as those fortunate to be touched by her kind and spunky spirit, as a representation of positive attitude and genuine love for others.
A joint memorial and celebration will be held for her and her beloved Morris in the fall. Donations in her honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
