September 16, 1936 – November 14, 2003
Earl was Nancy’s husband, father to Cindy and Earl John, and grandfather to Elizabeth, Emily, Ian and Alora. Nancy and Earl were married for 43 years. Earl was the family’s #1 fan. Always present for family functions. He was so proud watching Cindy dance and when the grandchildren started dancing. He would be standing at the back of the recital with his program marked so he would not miss one minute of their performance. We were all his pride and joy.

Earl’s career as an athlete started in grade school. He played all sports with such energy and enthusiasm. He made you a part of the game. He played basketball with Riverside Alumni and also with the AKO and AKO Alumni. To this day, he holds the record for the most points scored in one game. Playing for Riverside Bible Class, he scored 89 points. He also played Football with the Windsor Football League, and Pro football with the Port Huron Raiders. His other sport loves included playing Hockey with the Mohawks Metro Hockey League and the Old Imperial Bank of Canada. He was an ace player with the Windsor Senior Lacrosse Club. He enjoyed playing Racketball until a broken ankle put him on the side lines. In his final years, you would find Earl on the golf course with many of his family and friends.

All our hearts ache with this passing. Through his life time, Earl showed such energy in everything he did. Husband, father, grandfather, entrepreneur, business man, athlete, mentor and friend to many. Shortly before he died, he asked Nancy to offer a scholarship to a young man who we feel shows enthusiasm, dedication, and seriousness towards the art of dance. He asked that his grandson, Ian Pattison be the first recipient of this award. The Earl Pattison Memorial Boy’s Scholarship will be awarded on his recital night.

This scholarship is open to all students who study with Nancy Pattison’s Dance world and show the same dedication and enthusiasm we saw in Rochelle. This will be awarded in the recipient’s recital night.

Rochelle, Nancy’s niece was only 4 years old when she started dancing. She danced her entire life always with such dedication and enthusiasm and always with her beautiful infectious smile. She was a staff teacher at NPDW while attending the University of Windsor. She was taken from us all too soon in a tragic car accident at the age of 21. We know how much Rochelle loved her dancing by the following story she wrote in 1980.

The Ballerina
I look on the Stage.
There is a tiny girl there dressed in a tiny skirt with funny shoes on.
She looks delicate yet strong.
Suddenly!
The music starts.
The piano plays a beautiful classical piece.
Then the girl becomes someone totally different.
Floating like a beautiful butterfly with no weight on any particular part of her body.
Her head is so gentle and her arms are inviting.
I want to sand up and dance with such compassion and skill.
She is so graceful.
Then!
The music stops.
She sinks back into someone else.
See seems afraid and lonely.
Who is she really?

The Al Gilbert Memorial Dance Scholarship will be awarded to a dancer who is studying in the Al Gilbert graded system and preparing for annual exams. This will be presented on the recipient’s recital night.

July 12, 1921 - February 3, 2003
Nancy and Cindy met Al 34 years ago at a dance convention in Washington, D.C. From this time on with using the method of teaching Mr. Gilbert created, Nancy Pattison’s Dance World grew from a few hundred to over 1000 students. This revelation happened to many young teachers throughout the entire world. He also wrote several inspiring pieces of poetry, verse, and words of inspiration. This particular piece was written to Nancy and Cindy on March 8, 1997.

To Nancy and Cindy on This Special Occasion

Here’s to Nancy
Here’s to Cindy
Two ladies I just adore.

I have known them two
These many years
And I pray for many more!

Cindy was just a little tot
When Nancy and I first met.
I have seen her through her exams and more
And she was always a joy – you bet!

Together this Mother and Daughter team
Have proven that talent and love
Can make any dream come true.
With some help from that man from “above”.

I know that Nancy is proud of Cindy
As any Mother should be,
And Cindy of course, is very proud of Mom
And her “Dance Legacy”.

Their “World of Dance” is second to none
To that we all attest.
They continue to strive to improve their skills
And to all give their best.

So, on this their Anniversary
I merely want to say,
I love them both – please stand up with me to say
“HIP HIP HOORAY”!

The recipient of the Enid Ricardeau Memorial Ballet Scholarship will be chosen from the classical ballet students currently studying at Nancy Pattison’s Dance World and will be presented on the recipient’s recital night.

August 9, 1912 - June 26, 2003
Enid was wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, performer, mentor, teacher and friend to thousands. Her dance training began at the age of 5 when after a fall down a flight of stairs, her left leg was left partially paralyzed. Her doctor suggested dance as therapy and she kept on dancing for 85 years, much of it as one of the most highly respected dance teachers around the world. Enid’s professional career began in 1931 when she met and married her husband Jeff. They toured and performed for 14 years. They were married for 65 years until Jeff passed away in 1995. In 1945 they opened Ricardeau Dance Studio in Wyandotte, Michigan. Enid continued teaching into her eighties and despite her reputation as a teacher she considered herself a student of Dance, earning a certificate from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance in England at the age of 66.

Nancy's ballet training began with Enid at the age of 8. She continued to be Nancy’s teacher, mentor and friend for over 60 years. Throughout her life, Enid never stopped dancing. She shared her knowledge with all those who were interested. She will dance in our hearts forever.