Georgia O. Deane

Georgia Deane Avellis Ferrucci Young passed away on November 9 at her home in Mendon. She was 102 years old.
Georgia lived in Salem in her early years with her sisters Helen and Maryann Deane and her mother Paola Distasio. While growing up, the three sisters studied dance, voice, theater, and played several musical instruments. These interests and passions were the center of their lives.
In the late 1930's the sisters started their professional career performing trio harmony and were headliners in shows in the northeast of the United States. This was the time when their last name was changed from Distasio to Deane, to accommodate the space on the theater marquees. In 1952 she and her sister Helen opened the Deane School of Dance in Salem and taught there for 25 years.
Georgia moved to Mendon in 1973 to retire after marrying her second husband James Ferrucci Sr. She shortly found retirement didn't suit her and opened the Mendon Deane School of Dance in 1975. She went on to found the Greater Milford Ballet in 1979, which will celebrate its 40th production of the Nutcracker this year. She was the longest lifetime member of The Dance Teachers Club of Boston and served as president of that organization as well as President of The Dance Masters of America, N.E. chapter. She has received five lifetime achievement awards from various regional and national organizations.
You could catch Georgia performing anywhere there was a piano or a microphone. She always found an audience. She often said " I don't give a class, I teach a class"
She taught up to her 100th year when she actually retired in 2019.
.
Georgia had three happy marriages to Albert Avellis, James Ferrucci Sr. and Andrew
Young.
She is survived by Cynthia Avellis Marnik, Dean Avellis, Mathew Marnik, Daniel and Jennifer Marnik, Rachel Marnik, Christopher Leiton, Abby Marnik, Evan Marnik, Karenna Marnik, Skyler Marnik, Ashton Marnik, Richard Ferrucci, James Ferrucci Jr. Ronald Ferrucci, Andrea DeCiantis, Kenneth Young, Elaine Young, Deb Kasper, Jean Caddell, Cora Fior, Anthony Ferrucci, Matthew Ferrucci, Nicholas Ferrucci, Gregory Ferrucci, Patrick Ferrucci, Whitney Hecht, Cara Lyall, Christopher Howell, Brenda Donovan, Seanna and Jon Chmura, Audrey Chmura, Harrison Chmura, Candy Oddi Coppola, Cindy Oddi and was predeceased by William Avellis and Dolores Avellis Oddi.
Visiting hours for Georgia will be held Sunday, November 14th from 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. at Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home, 42 Congress Street, Milford. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home at 2 P.M.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, November 15th at 11 A.M. in Greenlawn Cemetery, 57 Orne Street, Salem.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Georgia's name may be made to: Greater Milford Ballet, 28 Bellingham Street, Mendon 01756.
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