Mary Maitland "MM" Kimball

Mary Maitland “MM” Kimball, age 80, a resident of Sun City, Bluffton, SC, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2021. MM grew up in Clifton Forge, VA and was the oldest of three children.  Her parents, Dr. Maurice Fliess and Mrs. Irwin Fliess, preceded her in death along with her grandson, Justin Roeser.  Mary Maitland will be remembered by her husband, David Kimball, and her daughter, Mitzi Roeser, and her family of husband Rod (children are Ben, Erin, and Kevin); son, Monte Kimball and his wife, Sarah, (children are Noah, Anna Marie, Carson, Jackson, and Chelsea); her brother, Maurice Fliess and wife, Elfi and son, Kevin; sister, Jan Swoope, her husband, Jeff, (children Chris and Amy).  She is also survived by several cousins.

            Mary Maitland became interested in dance at the age of five when her mother taught her the five basic ballet positions.  Growing up, she was passionate about dance. She enrolled at Butler University in Indianapolis where she graduated Summa cum laude with a degree in Dance in 1963 followed by her masters degree in 1975.  At Butler University she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.  In 1964, she married David Kimball, another Butler graduate.  MM began her teaching career at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in 1965 and rose to Professor Emeritus when she retired in 2000. She was most proud of her efforts to develop the Moving Company, a student dance company at the university.

            MM’s professional awards during her teaching career include the Glenn W. Irwin, Jr. Experience Excellence Recognition to IUPUI award, 1987; Dr. Robert Shellhamer Outstanding Educator award 1989-1990; National Dance Association, President 1991-1993, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Honor award, 1993; Heritage Honoree award, 2000; Spirit of Philanthropy, IUPUI, for “The Moving Company;” and was the Chairperson of the Committee to write national educational standards for dance “Goals 2000” for the National Dance Association 1992-1993. 

            After retiring from her teaching career in 2000, she and Dave moved to Sun City, SC to enjoy their retirement years in a warmer climate.  MM immediately joined the “Sundancers” club and became an instructor for tap and ballet members.  She helped found and was artistic director for “Rainbow of Rhythm,” an annual dance production.  She was also a member of the Synchronettes Swim club, the Sun City Tennis Association, and she was the choreographer and actor for several plays for the Theater club.  MM was an active member of the Church of the Cross in Bluffton where she served as a reader, and she was one of the original members of the docent program.

            Service:  2:00 PM; Saturday; January 15, 2022 at The Church of the Cross (110 Calhoun St., Bluffton, SC 29910)

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary Maitland’s memory may be made to the Church of the Cross, 491 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton, SC 29910.

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