Barbara Craddock's Obituary
Barbara (Miller) Craddock, born May 18, 1940 in New York, died in Pembroke Pines, Florida on January 20, 2015. She is survived by her husband, James G. Craddock, son, Scott A. Riesner, daughter, Kimberly C. Saldarini (Michael), grandson, PJ Lyons, granddaughter, Katelin A. Lyons, loyal employees, Marie Michaud and Denise Daniel, aunt, Sylvia Leventhal, uncle, Ralph Miller (Ellen), other family members, friends, fans, colleagues and her beloved rescue cats. She is predeceased by her parents, Louis and Esther Miller.
Globally recognized as the Grand Dame of Mambo, over the past 20 years, Barbara renewed her love of Latin dance, and created a fulfilling avocation performing and teaching worldwide. She was the longtime dance partner of Palladium Latin dance legend, Cuban Pete. Barbara has successfully choreographed and consulted on original Latin dance productions, produced and directed many Latin dance series, and trained dancers for competition and performance. She was an expert on the history of Latin dance and music, and lectured extensively at universities, museums, libraries and dance congresses. The recipient of many prestigious awards, Barbara adjudicated at dance events worldwide. She vowed to uphold Cuban Pete’s legacy and was Executive Producer of Mambo Man, a documentary, still in the making, on the life of Cuban Pete. Off the dance floor she was the financial manager of family enterprises and served as Chief Executive Officer of a family owned corporation.
Services will be held at 7:00 PM, on Thursday, January 22, 2015, at Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapel, 18840 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, Florida 33180 and telephone 305-932-2700, with interment in New York. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her honor to Palm Beach Atlantic University –Dance Department, 901 Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73123-1718.
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