Isabel Morca, 54, Danced Flamenco, Owned Studio
Isabel Morca performed flamenco dance in a ruffled, undulating red or purple gown with her hair slicked into a bun and spitcurls on her cheeks. Onstage she was a small, straight flame.
She burned softly and musically with a controlled fire that flared deliciously when her husband, Teo Morca, danced near.
The flame was extinguished Aug. 3. Mrs. Morca, 54, collapsed in her husband's arms from massive heart failure while they were in their Bellingham studio rehearsing for a concert tour of Japan.
Teo Morca of Bellingham, her husband of 25 years, said he feels devastated but vowed the show will go on "as Isabel would wish."
"I just lost my dear friend of 25 years," he said. "We've spent all these years being best buddies and dancing all over the world - Spain, New Zealand, all of North America.
"Isabel was always so damned `up.' She was such a trouper."
Part of that involved Mrs. Morca's dedication to young people, particularly in Washington state, where she worked for the past 20 years.
She took time to listen to young people and guided them.
"She was kindest person I ever met," said Spanish-dance colleague Sara de Luis. "She was totally dedicated to her art and to Teo. They did a lot of cultural-enrichment-program shows.
"She brought her love of flamenco to thousands of young people in the Northwest."
Mrs. Morca also made her own costumes, as well as her husband's and their son's.
Mrs. Morca in 1987 earned the Bellingham Mayor's Arts Award for her dedication to flamenco, her teaching and efforts to enrich the state's cultural life.
Born in Phoenix, Mrs. Morca studied ballet, Spanish classical dance and flamenco there and in Los Angeles - where she met her husband.
She spent several years with Pacific Ballet near San Francisco and with the California Imperial Ballet before dedicating herself to flamenco and touring with Jose Greco.
Mrs. Morca and her husband moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1975.
Other survivors include her son Teo Jr., stepdaughter Luisa Morca Bush, and step-granddaughter Maghan Bush, all of Bellingham; and brothers David, Daniel and Gabriel Grijalva, of Phoenix.
A memorial service is planned for early September, when Morca returns from the Japan tour.
Remembrances may go to Morca Academy of Performing Arts, 1349 Franklin St., Bellingham, WA 98225.