Deirdre Abeid - Kettle Falls, WA - Citizen Memorials on Waymarking.com

A lover of Irish Dance, Deirdre Abeid founded the Haran School of Irish Dance. Born on August 27th, 1955, Deirdre died of cancer in Kettle Falls on May 29th, 2004, at the age of 48.

ABEID, Deirdre Haran - Born in San Francisco on August 27, 1955 to James Haran and the late Maura McCarthy. Deirdre, affectionately called Dooda by her family and friends, died at home in Rice, WA on May 29, 2004, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her cherished husband, Simon; her beloved children Mellad, Caitlan, and Claire; by her father and stepmother James and Loyce Haran and by her seven siblings: Terry, Tim, Ned, Brigid and Mary Cleere Haran, Bronwyn Harris, and Eithne Bullick.

After finishing her schooling, Deirdre married and she and Simon headed north, settling in a beautiful piece of undeveloped land in northeastern Washington. Together they built a home, cultivated a small farm, and raised their three children. She led the church choir, teaching them to sing a cappella, because there was no piano or organ. She participated in several Woodland Theatre productions as an actress, singer, dancer and choreographer.

Deirdre started one of the most influential dance schools in the Pacific Northwest. It became known as the Haran School of Irish Dance, with a studio in Kettle Falls and a branch studio in Spokane. Many of the school's approximately 350 students over the years have performed around the region, as well as in Japan and Austria as the Haran Dancers. When the dance troupe performed throughout the Pacific Northwest, the shows were strictly for the audiences, sister Eithne Bullick said. "It wasn't about bringing any glory to herself or even to the dancers," explained Eithne, noting that Deirdre kept no scrapbook of performances. "Once a show was over, it was done. It was on to the next thing."

Among her many gifts was bringing people together, whether she was directing a troupe of Irish step dancers at the Spokane Opera House, singing in her church choir, or teaching a child to read. About 300 people came together a couple of weeks before she died to encircle her house in the Rice area, south of Kettle Falls, to pray for her. She also brought together politically and religiously diverse families that might not have normally come into contact with each other. Deirdre took several trips to Ireland with her students to study from the Grand Masters and to enjoy the World Championship of Irish Dancing. On her last trip to Ireland, she became ill, and it was discovered that she had cancer. After her return to Washington, she continued to teach and work with her dancers.

Her children are continuing Deirdre's work in the fields of Irish Dancing and the arts. Daughter Caitlin runs the Haran Dance School in Spokane and daughter Claire will be taking over the studio in Kettle Falls. Deirdre's son Mellad, who teaches music at Gonzaga University, has formed a Celtic band in Spokane known as An Dochas (Gaelic for "The Hope"). A few weeks before she died, Deirdre wrote "Try to live like Jesus ...see love in every face and try to give that love back." This beautifully sums up her philosophy and the generous, spiritual, and loving way she lived her life.

A Vigil was held for Deirdre on Wednesday, June 2nd, at Sacred Heart Church in Kettle Falls. Her Funeral Mass was said the following day in the much larger Immaculate Conception Church in Colville. We will always love you, Dooda.
From the San Francisco Chronicle

The Haran School of Irish Dance was founded some 15 years ago in Kettle Falls, Washington by a wonderful woman named Deirdre Abeid. In 2001, in response to many requests, Deirdre's oldest daughter Caitlin came to Spokane to open a Haran school here. Deirdre has passed on, but her legacy is carried on by her two talented daughters. The oldest daughter, now Caitlin Trusler, teaches our rapidly growing school on Spokane's south hill and younger daughter Claire Abeid teaches the original Kettle Falls school.

The two groups work closely with each other and with An Dochas, a terrific Celtic band that includes Caitlin and Claire's brother, Mellad Abeid. Check out our links page for more details about the band.

Our top dancers make up a touring troop that travel with An Dochas, performing fantastic, energetic shows all over the country and beyond. In recent years our dancers have traveled to performances in Japan and Austria and to the Irish Dance World Championships in Ireland.

With schools in Spokane and Kettle Falls, Washington, the Haran Irish Dancers have been beloved by Northwest audiences for 18 years. Our schools are made up of dancers from age 6 to 60 and beginners to world-class champions. Our love of dance shines through in everything we do.
From the Haran School

Location: Grounds of the Kettle Falls Chamber of Commerce Website with more information on either the memorial or the person(s) it is dedicated to: Not listed

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