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Joan Elizabeth (Seyfried) MacDonald, 87, formerly of Ridgefield, died Friday, May 24 at Filosa Nursing and Rehabilitation in Danbury, after an eight-year struggle with dementia.
She was born in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 14, 1931 to Oscar and Evelyn (Robert) Seyfried. MacDonald graduated from Immaculata Junior College with a degree in home economics.
A life-long performer and teacher, MacDonald started taking tap and ballet lessons at the age of three. She also studied Hawaiian dancing with the world famous Momi-kai. She started teaching dance at age 16.
Over the years, she performed as a traveling Rockette at USO shows, and in halftime shows at Washington Redskins games. After dating in junior high, high school and college, Joan married Robert MacDonald in 1954. In June, they would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They had three children: Carrie, Craig, and Kyle.
In 1970, Joan opened her own dance studio in her Westmoreland home. Her first class was made up of eight children. Over the years, she grew the studio to more than 400 students from age three to adult.
Many of her students became third generation dancers at the studio. Her adult group of tap dancers won national awards, and some continue to dance more than 35 years later.
In 1972, Ridgefield Parks & Recreation asked Joan to open a dance program, which she ran for 28 years until her retirement in 1999. Later, her daughter Carrie joined as a partner, forming the MacDonald-Pin dancers. The annual recital was known for its outstanding dancing and high production value.
MacDonald regularly arranged for her dancers to perform at area nursing homes, senior centers, and town events. She and her husband were very active in St. Mary's Catholic Church for 34 years, including as Eucharistic Ministers. MacDonald spent the last eight years at Filosa Nursing and Rehabilitation facility in Danbury.
Joan is survived by her husband Robert Mac Donald of Danbury; children Carrie Pin and husband Gregory Pin of Danbury; Craig Mac Donald and wife Linda (Gray) Mac Donald of Brentwood, N.H., and Kyle Potvin and husband Glen Potvin of Derry, N.H.; grandchildren Adam, Erik, Karina and Allegra Pin; Dylan, Maddy and Duncan Mac Donald; and Jack and Jeff Potvin.
Funeral services were Wednesday, May 29 in Ridgefield.
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