Gayle McKinney-Griffith

8/26/1949 - 10/11/2023

Quaker Hill - Gayle McKinney-Griffith,74, pioneering ballerina, passed away peacefully in her home with her children by her side Oct. 11, 2023. Gayle was born in Harlem, N.Y., Aug. 26, 1949, to Harold and Millicent McKinney. The family relocated to Quaker Hill, in 1955 after Harold took a job with Electric Boat. Gayle attended Waterford Public Schools and graduated from Waterford High School in 1967.

Gayle began dancing at a young age. She attended Carnegie Hall's Showtime for Children in New York, and Froman's Professional Ballet School in Connecticut. In high school, Gayle was the dance club president and received the Connecticut College Dance Scholarship to study with professional dancers. After graduation, Gayle attended The Juilliard School where she pursued a degree in ballet before leaving to become a founding member and first ballet mistress of Arthur Mitchell's Dance Theatre of Harlem.

During her time with Dance Theatre, Gayle performed for audiences including the Queen Mother, Mick Jagger and Stevie Wonder. Gayle was invited by Lewis Johnson to work on the skeleton crew for "The Wiz," performing with and training Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russel and Diana Ross. In 1979, Gayle was invited by Theatre des Westens to perform in "Showboat" in Berlin, Germany, where she would spend the next three decades. She also served as a faculty member at Indiana University South Bend, where she helped create the dance department. Gayle shared her immense talent and love of dance with young performers around the world. "Miss Gayle" was a beloved instructor to the dancers at Connecticut College, the Dance Extension in Waterford, and Ballett Studio Marlen and John F. Kennedy Schule in Berlin. During the COVID pandemic, Gayle reconnected with Dance Theatre of Harlem dancers, forming the 152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy. Together they committed to reclaiming their narrative and sharing their tremendous accomplishments with the world. Gayle and her colleagues are the subject of the upcoming book, "The Swans of Harlem," which will be released in April 2024. Despite her illustrious dance career, family was Gayle's first priority. Gayle took on her most important role as Mama to her two children, Don and Khadija. She kept a close eye on them, working at the school library, baking excellent gingerbread cookies, reading nightly bedtime stories and devoting countless hours to elaborate Lego projects. Gayle always encouraged her children's creativity and independence. She supported the dream of self-designed prom dresses and homemade Halloween costumes. Mostly, Don and Khadija recall that Mama filled the house with laughter and love.

In 2007, Gayle returned to Quaker Hill from Germany, spending over a decade caring for her parents. She was a beloved aunt to her niece and nephews, devoted sister and adoring "Gigi" to her grandson. Gayle made a lasting impression on everyone she met. Her understated humor and appreciation for good company and new experiences made her a deeply beloved friend. Her warmth and kindness were immediately apparent, and she had effortless elegance and a generous spirit. In her final months, Gayle received beautiful care from her daughter Khadija, and relished the many visits from family and friends.

Gayle will be remembered and celebrated by her family: daughter Khadija Tariyan Griffith, son Don Griffith II, daughter-in-law Katherine Griffith, her "gumdrop" grandson Emmitt Griffith, niece Vicki Hale, nephews, Kevin and Todd Hunter, sister Maxine Hunter, and innumerable friends and admirers.

A memorial service will be held in New London, with information to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Gayle McKinney-Griffith Memorial Scholarship fund, https://bold.org/funds/gayle-mckinney-griffith-memorial-scholarship-fund/