Ellen Kimiatek, 65; danced with American Ballet Theatre

ELLEN KIMIATEK

Ellen Kimiatek, a ballet dancer and instructor, died April 2 of ovarian cancer. She was 65 and lived in Wayland.

Mrs. Kimiatek was born in Springfield, Ill. As a child, she began studying ballet while living in Chicago. By high school, she was performing professionally.

A recipient of a Ford Foundation scholarship, Mrs. Kimiatek was later able to study at the School of American Ballet, where she toured with Ruth Page Chicago Opera Ballet and took the stage name Ellen Everett.

In 1964 she joined the American Ballet Theatre in New York City, rising to principal dancer. She performed in many of Antony Tudor's works, including "Pillar of Fire" and "Lilac Garden." She also danced in such classic ballets as "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake."

Her friend and fellow dancer, Marie Paquet-Nesson of Boston, said Mrs. Kimiatek's favorite role was Caroline in "Lilac Garden."

"It was a big role, it was a legendary role, it was a role that required dramatic ability," she said. "It was kind of a dancer's dream to dance this role."

Paquet-Nesson said Mrs. Kimiatek enjoyed dancing for the transcendental experiences it often provided. Mrs. Kimiatek, she said, set herself apart with her ability to embody whatever role she was given, as well as with her technical ability.

After taking a brief break from dancing to have her first daughter, Mrs. Kimiatek returned to the American Ballet Theatre before leaving in 1974 to raise her family. In 1984, she moved to Wayland, and for about 20 years she taught dance, most recently at a ballet workshop in Sudbury.

In Wayland, she was active in the community, studying Hebrew at Temple Shir Tikva and had her bat mitzvah. She was also dance director for the Purim play, put on for the Jewish holiday every year at the temple.

At age 55, Mrs. Kimiatek fulfilled a lifelong dream by earning a bachelor's degree in English from Regis College, graduating summa cum laude.

Even though she had retired from professional dancing, she continued to exercise her mind and body by practicing yoga, even when she was sick. Also, Mrs. Kimiatek was a docent at the Danforth Museum of Art in Framingham, giving tours to schools groups, and was an amateur painter.

Mrs. Kimiatek leaves her husband, Herbert of Wayland; three daughters, Jennifer Hunnewell of Boston, Marianna Silverman of Saco, Maine, and Danielle of New York City; a brother, Joel Gimpel of Kona, Hawaii; a sister, Martha Miller of Greensboro, N.C.; and two grandchildren.

Services have been held.