Phyllis Mavis Pakenham

I have so many memories of Mavis teaching me & others teens ballet & tap back in the mid-70´s to early 80´s! I have thought of Mavis so many times & those great dance lessons and performances over the years and all I learned from her - to dance and be strong. Learning to dance with Mavis and the other young teens is one of my favorite memories. I am sure she has been dancing since her passing in heaven. Thank you Mavis.

I know I am a little late in sharing my condolences. Mavis was unforgettable in all the best ways... gracious, beautiful, generous, and she was the most amazing person and teacher. She treated me like family. I danced with Mavis while I was in high school in Security, Colorado Springs, and when she taught classes in Monument CO. She took me with her to a Cecchetti class and exam in New Mexico and l learned so much from her. She also helped me put together an audition video for a college...

I just loved reading all the comments. It felt like coming home where kindred spirits meet. I, like so many, was touched and changed by Mavis. I had come from Denver and was attending the Denver International Ballet School. I was 8. My instructor told my mom about Mavis and that if I wanted to be a great dancer, that I had to try out for her class. In 1985 we moved to Colorado Springs and I tried out for Mavis' school. She yelled at me a lot and one of the girls in the class went running out...

My name is Lisa Taylor, I was in Mrs. Packinghams ballet class in 1973 in Security, CO. I had some of my happiest times in her classes! I will miss her. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND YOUR FAMLY

First, let me say to Anna and Mavis's family, I wish you my deepest condolences. I remember coming home from various places I lived and wondering if I should visit the dance studio that I, along with so many others, grew up. I don't know why I stayed away. Apprehension, I believe. I guess I wanted so much to return and visit Mavis with something important that I had accomplished. Mavis was such an integral part of my childhood, my life, and my love of dance. In February 2008, I finally...

To know Mavis was to know joy and love. Not only in dance, but in life. She instilled values into each little girl and boy whose lives she touched whether they grew up to become dancers or not. How many words could describe her - tap, ballet, love, hugs, a cup of tea, orchids, mother, grandmother, wife to "her Tom", sister, friend, teacher, and the list goes on. . . What a happy memory I hold in my heart. Forever. . .

I have put off signing this guestbook because for the longest time I never knew what to say... I still don't think I'll ever be able to adequately express how much Mavis touched my life and shaped me into the person that I am now.

Every time I see an Orchid I think of Mavis, and every time I see French-fries from Wendy’s I remember sitting with Mavis one afternoon and sharing French-fries with her… Wendy’s French-fries were her favorite French-fries.

Mavis taught me more...

I remember the details, the discipline, the laughter, the home away from home, the self discovery in a safe place, the exasperation of recital time (Come on, we all know what I'm talking about - the perfect ponytail coif completely disheveled, and Mavis constantly flipping it back into place), I remember these things.....but most of all, I remember the love and the passion. I have these memories forever. God bless you Mavis.