In remembering her cousin, Tamara Gibbs said Dixie Durr always wanted her students or “little birds” to soar.
“She wanted to make sure she gave the best education to her students so they could go off and fly on their own,” Gibbs said.
Former theatre chairwoman, dance professor dies, age 67
Durr
Durr, 67, died Sunday of cancer.
She served as the chairwoman of the MSU Department of Theatre from 1994-2001 and her tenure at MSU as a dance professor lasted for 41 years.
“She believed strongly in the very best performance and the very best character traits of her students,” Theatre Department Chairman George Peters said.
Kirk Domer, associate chairman of the theatre department, said he could not speak any higher of anyone he’s worked with at MSU.
“She was one of those people that you wanted to make proud, and I’m saying this as a colleague,” he said. “I wanted to please Dixie because you knew when you were done, you were going to be as proud of what you did as she would be.”
Durr received her undergraduate degree from Butler University and her Master of Arts from MSU.
She was involved with the American Dance Guild, the Congress on Research in Dance and served as president of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Dance Association.
“She’ll be missed in numerous ways,” Peters said. “First and foremost, as an exceptional human being. People will really miss a true and devoted friend.
“As a professional in the area of dance, she will be missed not only locally, but regionally and nationally.”
Gibbs said she had a sister-like relationship with Durr, who was ten years older than Gibbs.
“She was very giving and there wasn’t a jealous or mean bone in her body,” Gibbs said. “She was like my sister. She was on everyone’s level. I always tooted her horn because I was so proud of her, but she didn’t even like to be called ‘doctor.’”
Durr retired from MSU in 2005, but continued to teach a class in the spring of 2006.
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She also continued her involvement with regional and national dance organizations.
“She was a leader for art and the greater good of art,” Domer said.
“She was classy in everything she did – from reprimanding people to helping them build to teaching.”
A memorial service in East Lansing is still in the works and Peters was waiting to speak with her family.
“What she’d want more than anything right now is to celebrate,” Domer said. “To celebrate the life (and what) she meant to everyone, which is such an overwhelming amount.”
Joey Nowak can be reached at nowakjo2@msu.edu.
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