In Memoriam

In loving memory of the Founder of our School

Miss Francesca.

October 24th, 1923 - February 24th, 2011

Francesca Margaret Highfield (87), beloved mother, died peacefully at her Woodland Hills home on February 24th, 2011. She was born in 1923 in London England, and moved to California in 1987. She is survived by her daughter, Stella Croxon of Woodland Hills, California, and her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen & Sharon Highfield of Cambridge, England. Her husband, Alan died in England in 1980, and she never remarried.

A seven year resident of Woodland Hills, California, Francesca (or Miss Francesca as she was known to her students) was a ballet teacher and choreographer. She founded her first ballet school in London, England in 1947. In 2003 she founded the Classical Ballet School in Woodland Hills.

She had a life-long love of the theatre, the arts, and classical music, and she developed a passion for ballet. While living in London she would attend every performance she could - at that time enjoying performances by such esteemed dancers as Margot Fonteyn and Rudolph Nureyev. She studied ballet with world class teachers, and became a Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (Cecchetti) and a Life Member of the Royal Academy of Dance. She trained thousands of students over the years, with successful students becoming professional dancers and ballerinas. As a choreographer she created beautiful works and her ballets were recognized for their delightful musicality. Her teaching took her all over the world to France, Canada and Russia, and finally to the United States.

She continued dancing into her 80's and always did her "ballet barre" and the splits every day. In November 2007 she was diagnosed with A.L.S. and eventually was unable to dance anymore. She continued to teach even while in a wheelchair and with limited ability to talk. She was truly happy when she was teaching, and her students adored her.

During her more than 60 years of studying the different methods of ballet training, and teaching ballet, she developed her own method of teaching - the Francesca Method. In the last few years of her life, even while severely disabled, she continued to work on fine-tuning her method, and was in the final stages of producing the Francesca Method for DVD. Her daughter, Stella is devoted to continuing her life's work and is ensuring that the Francesca Method is taught at the Classical Ballet School, which remains open today in her honor.

Her determination never ceased and she never gave up even when faced with such unbearable adversity - and she has become an inspiration to many.

She was fearless, and loved heights - and always wished she could fly. She loved to sing the song "If I Only Had Wings." She always lived life to the fullest and took a tandem Hang Gliding ride for her 81st birthday, and loved it so much that she went again for her 83rd birthday. She had planned to go every year after that, but sadly her A.L.S. made that impossible. But for those two flights she truly experienced her dream of flying like a bird, stepping, with no fear off Kagel Mountain in Sylmar, at a height of 3500 feet! Mum - now you are free and you are truly flying and dancing with the wind beneath your pointed feet.

If I Only Had Wings

Oh what a difference it would make to things,

All day long I'd be in the sky,

Up on high,

Talking to the birdies that pass me by.

How the fellows would stare,

To see me roaring pass them through the air.

Never tiring of the thrill it brings,

If I only had wings.

–Author unknown

Acknowledgements

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all those who have supported us during this time of loss.

– Stella Croxon and Stephen & Sharon Highfield

Words will never be able to express how proud I was to have you as my mother, or the deep love I have for you. You were and always will be my best friend in the whole world. There is an empty hole in my heart now. Be at peace and dance with the angels. Missing you, Stella Croxon

Francesca, you were a lovely mother-in-law, I will always remember your wonderful sense of humour, amazing energy and enthusiasm for life. I think of you often and will miss you very much. All my love xxxx Sharon Highfield

I love you mum very, very much; I hope you are finally without pain, without frustration and are both peaceful and happy. One day we will all be together and filled with joy. With all my love , your son Stephen xxxx

From student Barbra Araujo:

Letter-to-Francesca.pdf

Letters of condolences

The outpouring of love has been overwhelming and given us such strength and comfort. Here is a small sampling of just some of your wonderful dedications, letters and emails….. Thank you.

It was with great sadness that we heard of Francesca's passing, and although we had not seen her for several years, she was very much part of our lives. Francesca was a great ballet teacher, who inspired countless young British dancers to fulfill their potential. Many of whom went on to have very happy years in ballet companies in England and all over Europe. We were both very happy that our own youngest daughter, Michelle was one of them. We were all very sorry to lose Francesca from England, though our loss was your gain. We know that she will be very sadly missed by her family and the ballet world. With our love, Anita & Michael Anita Landa & Michael Hogan, Principal Dancers & Teachers with The Royal Ballet and English National Ballet, England

Miss Francesca was a very spirited and determined lady. Despite how debilitating her illness was she still managed to find the energy to teach from her wheel chair with no ability to move and given that it was extremely difficult to talk to explain what she wanted ,she still found a way of communicating and making herself known. I was very fortunate to take class with her to learn the Francesca method. She always got a twinkle in her eye when debating the technique of certain steps; I could almost feel an inner laugh from her. Francesca had so much passion and dedication to her art that is what kept her going strong till the end it meant the world to her. She lived for dance and it gave her great pleasure to work with students. Her ability to laugh despite how difficult and painful her illness was incredibly humbling. Francesca was a lady that knew what she wanted and I was amazed that she managed to put a performance together showing the Francesca method and dances she had choreographed in her mind with no way of showing the steps to any of the students. After the performance the audience were quite in awe of the fact she had put this together despite the fact she had no ability to move there were many how were quite moved by this. Francesca had achieved so much within the world of dance and it was quite clear that is what kept her going so strongly. I will miss her determination, courage and sense of humour. Suzanne Glasper (Miss Suzanne - ballet teacher)

Your mother was an incredible woman who brought joy and encouragement to uncounted girls and even some men. I truly miss her classes. I have attended several schools since you and your mom left Marina and, quite honestly, none of them could hold a candle to the inspiration and attention to detail I gained from her. The world is diminished by her passing. Regards, Mike Hagerty

Words cannot express my sadness at hearing this news. I loved Francesca very much, and feel honored to have been part of her life - even if for a short time. The wonderful times I had in her class and all that I learned from her are things I will never forget. She was truly and inspiration and a blessing. My family and I send our deepest condolences, Barbra Araujo

As a volunteer with Buena Vista Hospice, I was fortunate to share many special moments with Francesca. She was assigned to me in November of 2009 and I visited with her a few afternoons each month. We always watched ballet videos or an British comedy and we always had a cup of tea. She was an amazing lady who was stricken with a terrible disease and her courage was an inspiration to me. We always had a giggle or two and I shared some stories with her, which she seemed to enjoy. I will always cherish our time together. She was very, very special to me, Helen Hutton

We're so sorry for your loss. Your mother was an amazing woman of vitality and intelligence, witnessed by her accomplishments, handed down to her students, and most evident in you. She has left her indelible mark on all of us, and we are grateful to have known her even briefly. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. With grace and affection to you and your family, Lynne, Charles, Charlie and Hannah Butler

I am so sorry to receive this message. I am glad that I had the opportunity to meet your mother at the open house last year. She truly enjoyed watching all of the dancers. I could see the excitement in her eyes. She will always be with us as we dance to her music and hear her voice call out the steps we are to do. Take care. Lynn Ben-Chetrit

We are so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. What an honor for us to have met her last December! She has left a wonderful legacy of her life within this incredible school. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Sincerely, Shaibani family

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. She must have been a great woman filled with kindness, because that is who you are. May your memories give you strength and comfort. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to begin my journey into dance at the school your mother founded. I truly loved the time I spent there. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Warmest regards, Susan Katzman

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Francesca. I took a class from her years ago and not only did she remind me of teachers past, but she was so encouraging. She was full of grace and a genuine love for the art. My prayers are with you and your family. Leslie Latt

I am very, very sorry to hear about your Mom. She had such an amazing history and seemed to be a very admirable individual whose love of the arts and dance were readily apparent in the glow of her eyes the two times I was fortunate to meet her and be in her presence at the dance school recitals. Her love and dedication to dance are among the inspirational stories I will carry with me always. Take care, Kit Stadlinger

Miss Francesca was a lovely, inspiring woman. Although I only had the pleasure of knowing her after the onset of A.L.S., she had a profound effect not only on my love of ballet, but on my outlook for life. She was able to say so much with just the glimmer in her eye and I am so blessed to have known her and studied under her for some time (before Life got in the way and I was unable to continue). I'll never be able to think of PDB without thinking of you, Miss Francesca! Much love to you, Stella You are an amazing woman! Rachel Ramirez

My earliest memories of Francesca were in 1954 when I started my ballet training with her at the Del Sarto school and private lessons with her at her parents' house before her marriage and Stephen & Stella came along. With her encouragement and support it enabled me to become a professional dancer. I don't think I would have made it without her guiding me through all the exams. I shall never forget Francesca.

With very best wishes to all the family. Tosca Francesca Padfield (nee Kara)

I am so sorry to hear the sad news about your Mother Francesca. I have very fond memories of my time at Del Sarto in Woodford & remember you well too. She was an inspiration to me & she will always hold a special place in my heart. I did have a wonderful reply from her to my email a few years ago & for that I will always be grateful. Ironically, I have just gone back to ballet aged 45 after nearly 25 years away. Thank you for taking the time to pass on such sad news, my heart goes out to you & your family. Lots of love, Lisa-Jayne Baker (Ne. Gibson)

I will always remember the special light in Francesca's eyes when she was laughing or enjoying a moment. Whenever I think of ballet, I will think of her. Maria Drolet

"Dedicated to producing dancers of the finest technique & quality."