MAXINE DEBRUYN
May 8, 1937-December 9, 2020
(Due to COVID-19 a memorial will be held later, to be informed please sign the online guestbook)
Nationally and internationally acclaimed dance educator, founder of Hope College Dance Department and community patron of the arts passed away on December 9, 2020.
Maxine Harris DeBruyn was born May 8,1937 to Madge L Griswold Harris and Willard C. Harris.
She left this earth in the comforting presence of her daughter Margret, following a warm outpouring of tributes from dance alumni, colleagues, and friends from many parts of the nation.
In 1959, with a degree from Michigan State University, Maxine moved to Boston to teach high school, continue the study of dance, and enjoy the rich cultural life of the area. She began a life tradition at Jacob’s Pillow, an arts mecca, dancing with Martha Graham and others esteemed in the field of modern dance. While in Boston Maxine reconnected with Robert “Bob” DeBruyn, a friend from Michigan State, who was in the MBA program at Harvard.
They had a shared vision, unique in that era, where two individuals with sharply different professional interests could provide mutual support while pursuing separate careers. In 1963 they were married, with Bob bringing his dancer bride to live in a conservative community where folk dancing or Klompen dancing was accepted but other forms of dance were regarded with some suspicion. Bob ran the family business (DeBruyn Produce). Maxine joined Newcomers, Junior Welfare League and played bridge, while planning and creating a future for dance at Hope College. Margret Christine was born in 1970.
Convincing Hope College administration that Dance was a legitimate part of a college curriculum, she succeeded in 1965 being granted one course in dance as part of the physical education department and a freshman honors English class where students created poems and dances from action verbs. Across the years she built a Dance Department that is one of the best in the nation, serving as department chair and Dorothy Wiley DeLong Endowed Chair Professor. The Dance program was fully accredited in 1982 by the National Association of Schools of Dance. Maxine retired in 2006, but continued teaching as Emerita.
Her involvement in professional associations led to recognition at home and abroad. She served as president of the National Dance Education Organization in 2006, maintaining a vital connection for many years following. She was appointed to an advisory board of the Kennedy Center for the Arts.. She was past vice chair of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and Michigan Dance Council. Maxine was past director of the National Association for Schools of Dance and Dance and the Child International and was a member of the UNESCO Conseil Interntionale de La Danse, representing the U.S. She coordinated the Cecchetti Council for America International Summer School at Hope College starting in 1994. On the Planning Committee for the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Department of Education, Maxine led the initiative of creating standards for dance and health education. Honors for her seminal role in dance education include an award from the Michigan Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 2000. Her work was cited in the Congressional Record with a concurrent resolution from the Michigan Legislature. A culminating Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by the National Dance Education Organization in 2015. Activities listed above are a mere fraction of her contribution to the field of dance.
Creating a synthesis between her faith, her commitment to community and her passion for dance, Maxine brought sacred dance to Hope Church and beyond. Community leaders such as Joann Brooks and Elsie Lamb helped her to organize the local project. Maxine was involved in the national Sacred Dance Guild and served as president from 1971 through 1974. She engaged the state and local community in a variety of aspects. Maxine served as treasurer and vice president of the board, Michigan Alliance for Arts and Education, but also volunteered as president of the state Girl Scouts board, and served on the board of OAR. Personally and professionally Maxine had a deep commitment to children, and consulted with Holland area schools on creativity for K-6 school children. She created access and opportunities for outreach as founder and director of StrikeTime Dance Company for almost 40 years. She was part of the Michigan Historical Trust, served on the board of the Holland Museum, and was president of the Holland Arts Council. As a patron of the arts, Maxine held season tickets for opera, symphony and Hope College’s dance and theater presentations. She was a dedicated fan of Hope College athletics and often brought a grandchild along to help her cheer (some of the athletes were her dance students who had learned that dance classes improved their sports skills).
A catalyst for community health, Maxine taught a variety of fitness classes in Holland, including stretch and balance for seniors at Hope Church, gentle physical activity at the Warm Friend, and Parkinson’s exercise at Evergreen Commons. She received the Resthaven Good Shepherd Award in 2011, honored “for senior wellness throughout the Holland/Zeeland Michigan community.”
During the course of their marriage the DeBruyns were members of a lakeshore house church, Second Reformed Church of Zeeland, the Port Sheldon Presbyterian Church, and Hope Church, Holland. They were part of a vibrant group of friends on the lakeshore and enjoyed the gift of hospitality.
Bob and Maxine became deeply caring grandparents to five grandchildren. One of many highlights of their enduring union was a hiking trip at the Grand Canyon that tested their fitness and stamina.
When Bob preceded her in death in 2009 Maxine remained in her beloved lakefront home for several years, but decided to move to the Warm Friend to be closer to her many activities in Holland, and her coffee buddies, Table #1, at JP’s. Margret oversaw a massive remodeling of the Warm Friend apartment to include room for Maxine’s art treasures and enabled entertaining. Maxine loved to host book club and bridge club, and visit with her Warm Friend neighbors. Maxine and Margret traveled together on many occasions to visit grandchildren, artistic events and other countries . Maxine is survived by daughter Margret, of McAllen, Texas; nieces Tonya Bramer and Tasha Farmer; nephew Brett Pynnonen, all of Holland and “dance daughter” Nicki Flinn of Holland. Grandchildren are Jade Castillo (Rene) Pfatschbacher, and great granddaughter Fabienne of Vienna; Judith Castillo (Ralph) Diaz and great grandchildren Leila, Joaquin,Luz and Isla; Justin (Angela) Castillo, great grandchildren Marcus and Tess; Daniel Morgan and Ashley Morgan of Holland.
(Due to COVID-19 a memorial will be held later, to be informed please sign the online guestbook)
Arrangements by Yntema Funeral Home, Zeeland. www.yntemafh.com
Memorial contributions may be made to Hope College Maxine DeBruyn Endowment Fund, the Hope College Dance Legacy Corridor or O.A.R. Inc.
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