Marsha Woody Zummo
Marsha Woody Zummo, an acclaimed dance director known for her contributions to enrich the community in the art of dance education passed away Sunday, February 21, 2021, in the presence of her family, at her home in Chappell Hill, Texas. She was the daughter of Paulene and Doyle Woody, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, but raised by her mother’s oldest sister, Martha Dunbar and her husband, Wallace, in Beaumont. She was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1935, in Oklahoma City.
She received her early education in Beaumont, Texas and began her dance training at the age of six under the late Judith T. Sproule. She graduated from Vidor High School in 1952 at the age of sixteen. She was crowned Football Sweetheart and Miss Service her senior year. The Dunbar’s owned and operated the Reno Theatre in Vidor for three years. She has studied under many of the country’s great dance masters such as Robert Joffrey, Ben Stevenson, and David Howard to name a few. Ms. Marsha attended Lamar University and in 1956 she founded the Marsha Woody Academy of Dance. In the same year she married the love of her life, Mike Zummo, and had one child, Monique. She was “Slim Queen” freshman year at Lamar and at the age of 20 was Miss Beaumont at the Miss Texas/Miss America Pageant, winning Miss Talent of Texas and crowned 3rdRunner up. She retired after a fulfilling career at the age of 80 and turned the business over to her daughter who continues to own and operate the business under her legacy.
In 1971, Ms. Marsha founded the Beaumont Civic Ballet Company and has served as the Founding Director since its inception. Her dreams and accomplishments convinced the Board of Directors and community that a premier regional dance company was needed in the Beaumont Southeast Texas area. Beaumont Civic Ballet was the first!
Ms. Marsha has been a member of all major dance teachers’ organizations and has served on the Regional Dance America Southwest Board as President and Membership Chairman. As President, she and Beaumont Civic Ballet hosted the 1987 Regional Ballet Festival held in Beaumont which brought over 750 dancers and supporting guests to our community. Ms. Marsha was recognized as the outstanding artist in dance by the Southeast Texas Arts Council in 1996 and was the Southwestern Regional Chairman for the 1997 National Regional Ballet Festival held in Houston, TX.
Former students of Ms. Marsha that excelled and danced professionally were Edmund LaFosse, Robert LaFosse, Kristine Richmond, Glenn Edgerton, Margo McCann, Jennifer Mattingly, Allison Odom, Kendra Snaufer and Josh Spell.
Ms. Marsha’s vision and set goals was to always strive for excellence in dance education in contribution to the community which continues to this day through her daughter. On a personal note…..she was a mentor to many students and spent most of her life helping others. She had a huge love for animals especially horses and dogs. She owned two beautiful horses and showed them at the Spindletop Charity Horse show in Beaumont for many years and won many English Riding competitions. She loved all her poodles dearly, and as many will remember, Ms. Marsha was one strong vivacious lady that will be greatly missed by so many!
She is preceded in death by her parents, Pauline and Doyle Woody; her brothers, Leonard and Billy Woody; and her loving husband, Marion Frank Zummo.
Survivors include her daughter, Monique Zummo Steinhagen, and her husband E. Harvey Steinhagen III of Beaumont; grandchildren, Landon Steinhagen and his wife, Abigail, and Dane Steinhagen; her sister, Nancy Dove and her husband Leland of Bedford, Texas.; and many nieces and nephews of the Woody, Merritt, Maida, Cornelius, and Zummo Families.
The family would like to express their gratitude and much love to Traditions Health Hospice and her devoted caregivers Carolyn Fielder, Cynthia Clark, LaShonda Fielder, Rose Newsome, Sherri Franklin and her very special neighbor and friend Pam Rudasil.
Memorial contributions for Mrs. Zummo may be made to Beaumont Civic Ballet, 3717 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas, 77706.
A gathering of Mrs. Zummo’s family and friends will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with a Christian Vigil at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Funeral service will be celebrated at 11:00 am, Friday, February 26, 2021 at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson St., Beaumont. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, in Beaumont.
Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Coronavirus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov
Video
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- 4955 pine st beaumont tx 77703
Funeral Service
Funeral Service
- 700 jefferson beaumont tx 77701
Christian Vigil
Christian Vigil
- 2000 mcfaddin avenue beaumont tx 77701
Gathering of Mrs. Zummo's Family and Friends
Gathering of Mrs. Zummo's Family and Friends
- 2000 mcfaddin street beaumont tx 77701
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brenda petkovsek-bean
MONIQUE, i' M SO SORRY TO HERE OF YOUR MOM'S PASSING, SHE WAS SUCH A LOVELY LADY . SHE WILL GBEATLY BE MISSED GOD BLESS
Shelly Parigi Allen
Ms. Marsha you will be missed. I took ballet jazz and tap from you. My you rip
Caran Courville Lindsey
Miss Marsha was larger than life! Such a special talented lady. I am so grateful to have known her and that she was my dance teacher! Such fond memories of those years. Monique I am always here for you, love you. My prayers are with you and family.
Barbara Broussard
A beautiful lady who made a great impression in the Dance community! Total perfectionist! Loved by many respected by all!
Andrea Ames
Every time I put on a pair of heels with my jeans and white or black tshirt, I think of Ms. Marsha. The woman had style. Marsha Woody Academy of Dance and Beaumont Civil Ballet were my life for many years. I think a lot of us can honestly say it consumed us. I'm grateful for those memories. Ms. Monique, I'm keeping you and the BCB and MWAD family in my prayers. Rest in Peace, Ms. Marsha.
Roxanne,Merrdith MacKenzie Cumpian
Miss Marsha was a major role model for my girls & mine life. . She instilled a structure that was a lifetime lesson on class, etiquettes & discipline of what it took to be a respected citizen of society.. She was a great role model, who will be missed in generation to come. I will always be grateful for her and the dance studio., who has brought me personal many years of enjoyment,& pride ...as well as the whole community. Thank you for all the wonderful years, of performances and all your years of teaching. You will be truly missed by my family. Thank you , Monique for sharing your Mom with my family. & the City of Beaumont. Love and prayers.
melinda aradoin
Ms. Marsha was such an inspiration to me . She taught so many of us poise, grace, respect for others and discipline. . I showed horses also and her dance classes helped me with grace and poise in the arena also. She was one of a kind and will be missed by our community.
Gwen Kinne
I remember Miss Marsha from dance classes I took at her academy.. fond memories of her. She was a force of nature and encouragement. Loved by many. Condolences to you and your family for her loss.
Phyllis M. Miller
Miss Marsha, Thank you for helping me develop my love for ballet and classical music. My condolences to Monique and the Marsha Woody Academy family.
Becky & Rodney Ames
Thoughts, prayers and condolences with the family. A very special individual that impacted in a positive way countless young people in Beaumont.
mike cacioppo
Monique i am so sorry for your loss & for all of your family. your mother was a leader & inspiration to so many in the arts. thank you for always being so kind when we see each other. love & prayers, mike cacioppo
Connie Zuzukin
You will be deeply missed by all who knew our daughters would be in the best leadership for their dance careers. May your family be safely wrapped in the arms of Jesus, and find comfort in the great legacy she left! Our deepest condolences to each of you that she loved dearly! God’s peace be with youâœï¸
Dale Epps Barnes
I loved "Miss Marsha". I started with her studio when I was six and left when I graduated High School and moved to Houston. She was a great lady and taught us discipline and the meaning of excellence. Her legacy will live on. RIP, Miss Marsha.
Anita Savino Fournier
I knew Marsha for many years and then I left Beaumont. So sorry to hear she has passed..My sympathy is extended to her family.
Rebecca O. Hill
My sincere condolences
Sandi (Pryne) Winters
i am so sad to hear of this magnificent lady's passing. I worked for Ms. Marsha during college and I loved her so much. She was the epitome of grace and class and touched so many lives. My prayers and condolences go out to her husband, and her daughter Monique, who I also loved, and her family. Rest in sweet peace Ms. Marsha.
Raimie Pieternelle
Mrs. Zummo, Thank you for the amazing impact you made on our community through the art of dance. May your amazing soul rest in heavenly peace. My prayers are with you Steinhagen and Zummo Family.
Frances M Wilson
Ms Marsha will always hold a special place in the hearts of my daughters, Stacey and Kristi McGinty and myself. She was and still a beautiful lady. My prayers and thoughts to the family.
Victoria de Bethencourt
My dearest Monique I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences go out to you and your entire family. I remember your mother with so much love and joy. She hosted a lunch for Julio and I on our wedding day. For years Marsha, Julio and I would meet for lunch once per month usually at the Post Oak Grill until she moved to Chappell Hill. Then we would make the drive to Chappell Hill and lunch together at Beavers. Now that they are both in heaven I am sure they are all having a great time. I will miss your mom so much. Love to you Monique!
Tina and Kendyl Page, Jayne Todd
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and the whole MWAD family.
Darlene Hall
Marsha touched so many lives,wish everyone could meet someone as wonderful,one in a million
Darlene Hall
Marsha touched so many lives,wish everyone could meet someone as wonderful,one in a million
Janice Redus Johnson
The dance studio was home away from home for years, spending 2/3 days a wk there! I LOVED being there, as I IDOLIZED Miss Marsha! She taught me sooo many things...above & beyond dance! Every once n a blue moon I'd send her a note & she ALWAYS responded! We moved 2 Flagstaff n '87 & she told me her brother is buried here n Prescott,AZ, as she said:"small world"! I cherish those visits & hold her soo dear in my heart I know you'll find peace celebrating her wonderfully blessed life! My condolences....✌
Karen LaBorde
I met Mrs.Zummo back in the early 70's when she and I both kept our horses at Tyrrell Park Stables. She would be out there riding her horse, Slick When Wet, while I was riding mine. After our rides, we'd have the opportunity to visit a bit. She was always so nice and friendly.. She always looked so poised and elegant even at a stable. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Since I live out-of-state in UT, I just found out about the demise of Marsha Lou (my personal name for my dear friend) who was my confidant, my very dear trusted special friend, a very beautiful – inside and out – lady, a true professional in her work ethics, my dance instructor, my hanging-out buddy, so very dear to me !! Ms. Marsha, the epitome of panache. Even though I moved from Beaumont many years ago. I shall miss her terribly. As will the town and people of Beaumont and surrounding area. There could never be another Ms. Marsha ! She is irreplaceable. Monique is the only one that is very close to filling her shoes. My most sincere condolences to the Zummo family. RIP ~ Dear Ms. Marsha !!
Marsha Woody founded my home, ever since i started at MWAD its been my favorite place to be. The people, friends, teachers, dances, everything. Marsha will be missed, forever in our hearts!