Barbara Piotrowski

Barbara Piotrowski, 69, of Bethlehem, died on Sunday, November 28, 2010.

She was born August 20, 1941 in Allentown, PA; the daughter of Jeanne Butler Meixell and the late Robert A. Meixell.

Barbara was a 1959 graduate of Liberty High School and later graduated from the Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School.

She dedicated many years to her community as owner, operator and artistic director of Miss Jeanne's School of Dance Arts in Bethlehem. They recently celebrated their 65th anniversary. Barbara has trained many students that have gone on to achieve success in the art of dance.

A former Miss Lehigh Valley, Barbara was actively associated with the Miss Lehigh Valley Scholarship Pageant as a judge, mistress of ceremonies as well as a producer and choreographer. Barbara was also active with the Junior Miss and Outstanding Young Woman Scholarship Program. She was listed on the judge's directory for Miss America preliminaries both as a Chief and State Judge. Barbara was the keynote speaker for the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Judges School. Barbara was a Past President of the PA Assoc. for Dance Teachers, Inc.; she also served as Secretary, Second Vice President and First Vice President and Chairperson for the PA Petite Miss and Young Mr. Dance Scholarship Programs. She served on the Board of Directors for the New York City Chapter of the Dance Masters of America Inc. Barbara also served as a faculty member for the Theatre and Dance Dept. of DeSales University.

Barbara's summer passions included the beaches of Stone Harbor, NJ and Musikfest; where she volunteered every year since its inception.

She will be lovingly remembered by her mother; sons, Chad Piotrowski of Miami, FL and Robert Talijan of Seneca Falls, NY as well as her grandchildren NIckolas and Gabrielle Talijan and her uncle, William Butler of Carlisle, PA.

Barbara was preceded in death by her daughter, Gwendel Greenblatt.

Friends and Family may call on Thursday, December 2, 2010 from 5-8PM and again on Friday, December 3, 2010 from 8:30-9:30 AM at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. A Candle lighting vigil will be held in the funeral home on Thursday evening at 7PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 3, 2010 at 10 AM at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church 730 W. Broad St. Bethlehem PA 18018.

Entombment will be held at Bethlehem Memorial Park.

Condolences may be made online at www.connellfuneral.com