Irene APINEE-GOTSHALKS

APINEE-GOTSHALKS, Irene
Died November 6 at age 89 of complications from Parkinson's disease in Toronto, Ontario. Trained in ballet at the National Opera House in Riga, Latvia. Was the Latvian National diving champion 1942-43. Co-founder with Jury Gotshalks of the Halifax Conservatory School of Ballet, 1947, and also ballet teacher. They started the Gotshalks Halifax Ballet, one of the first ballet companies in Canada. Irene and Jury were leading dancers of the National Ballet of Canada when it was established in the early 1950's, dancing lead roles in such classics as Swan Lake, Giselle and Copellia. Toured the world with the American Ballet Theatre in the late 1950's. Starred with Jury Gotshalks multiple times during 1961-63 at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. Leading dancer with Les Grand Ballets Canadiens de Montreal in the late 1960's. On retirement from ballet, took up running and swimming, winning many awards and breaking swimming records. In the mid 1980's at the World Masters in Japan, she was sixth in the world for her age group in backstroke. Survived by her son Gunnar Gotshalks, sister Olga Fraser nieces and nephews, many students and friends in Canada, US and Europe. Memorial donations may be made to the Kristus Darzs Latvian Home or the Parkinson Society of Canada. E-mail condolences may be made through Low and Low Limited at portperry@lowandlow.ca.