Eva Desca Garnet

Eva was a modern dancer, choreographer and teacher. Among others, Eva studied and performed with the Denishawn Company, Humphrey-Weidman Company, the New Dance Group and at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. In addition she performed on Broadway in the Ziegfeld Follies and a trio with Sophie Maslow and Marjorie Mazia, accompanied by Woody Guthrie. In Orange County she collaborated with the Dance Department at UC Irvine, including with Donald McKayle who remembered Eva, his first dance teacher and choreographed a role for her in “Generations.”

Eva returned to college at the age of 50 and received a Masters in Gerontology from USC. A pioneer in exercise for seniors, Eva wrote “Movement is Life” and "Chair exercise manual : an audio assisted program of body dynamics"

Eva lectured on dance history, performed and taught chair exercise classes, modern and belly-dancing in Los Angeles, Laguna Woods Village and Laguna Beach. Together with her longtime friend, dancer and activist, Sue Remos Nadel, Eva helped organize and direct the Emeritus Dance Group composed of retired dancers living in the Village. The group performed in Laguna Woods and surroundings during the 1980’s. Both Sue and Eva were also founding members of Concerned Citizens for Peace.

She is survived by her daughter Janis; her daughter Polly and husbands Leo Garnet and artist David Rosen are deceased.

A memorial of her life will be held at The Towers, Laguna Woods CA. Lorstcher Hall at 11 a.m. on May 23, 2015. Please contact Julia Ross, (949) 458-6642 if you are planning to attend.