Ann Barzel passed away yesterday at 101 years of age.
She was an avid collector and a great story teller.
Once while giving me a private tour of her collection at the Newberry Library, she asked if I would like to see Pavlova's pointe shoe and pulled it right off the shelf.
The following is my favorite part of her obituary by Sid Smith in today's Chicago Tribune.
(Petite and soft-spoken, Miss Barzel had an impish wit. Sometimes disdainful of modern dance, Miss Barzel, when passing a section of Twyla Tharp memorabilia in her collection a few years ago, quietly grumbled, "Twyla Twerp.")
" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."