Obituaries

Geraldine Cross
Whenever I think of Geraldine Cross I think of a long limbed, elegant, gentle being who inspired those around her to be better people.

I was privileged to have her as a friend, work colleague and fellow committee member. With the Royal Academy of Dance Border Panel her support was invaluable through many seasons as she served as Secretary for many years and later as a very active panel member where her tireless service of time, resources and wisdom were always evident and appreciated.

Visiting ballet examiners and guest teachers often commented on the unity and supportive relationships they found among the teachers in East London. Despite the obvious reasons to be at enmity with each other we seem to pull together well and it is due greatly to how she set the tone of interactions as well as the support she showed us individually.

I am so thankful for the hours spent on the phone after teaching late at night, the teas on my birthday and the pupil exchange of classes to ensure that they all got enough training.

I once heard Gerry tell of her shift from teaching Primary School Boys at Selborne to teaching ballet to Clarendon girls. The boys' loss was certainly the girls' gain. Being a ballet teacher, she had an awesome opportunity to influence and shape not only the body but also the life and character of her young pupils. With some she only had the chance of a term or two but with others she had years. Gerry used that opportunity for their good and did not take lightly the effect that her words and regular teaching had on them. The quality of her relationship with her pupils was always of utmost importance to her.

The Geraldine Cross School of Ballet has been running for almost 35 years on the Clarendon Prep and Primary School Premises. As Gerry submitted her work daily in prayer before her Saviour, she guided her dancers to become young ladies of grace and poise. This is because they were taught under grace, gracious words, gracious attitudes and gracious patience.

Yes there have been many successes and highlights over the years with some students going on into dance related careers. The truth is that most of them have not, but the lessons learnt at ballet with Mrs Crossie (as referred to by some students) extended beyond the realm of dance, spilling over into everyday living… “take the time to groom yourself well, stand and carry yourself with dignity and grace, always curtsey (honour) whomever you meet and pause to hear how they are doing, be genuinely interested in them, work in unity with the person next to you, harmony leads to beauty. And remember a pearl begins with a grain of sand that if treated correctly becomes an ornament of beauty”.

I echo the conversation between a former pupil and her mother – “Mom, you know she was like a second Mum to me?” – her mother answered
“I know, I let her be, because she was worthy of it”.

Submitted by: Kati Ansell – Registered teacher & chairlady of the RAD Border Regional Panel