By Porsia Tunzi, Resident Minister and GTU Doctoral Student
When I was little, my mom saw girls Irish dancing at St. Paschal Baylon School in Thousand Oaks, CA and she knew immediately that her red-haired Irish daughter must give it a go. So, at five years old, my parents signed me up for my first Irish dance class with Bella Yerina’s O’Connor School of Irish Dance. 25 years later and I still find myself turning out my feet when posing for photos, reminiscing every Saint Patrick’s Day of past O’Connor pub performances, dancing a little jig under my office desk, and smiling whenever I hear an Irish tune or watch an Irish film.
Bella, a Catholic immigrant from Ireland, her fierceness always paired with a caring tenderness, modeled for us an equal devotion to her Catholic faith and an openness to all people, no matter their belief system or background — anyone and everyone was welcomed to become an Irish dancer.
I can recall countless memories of going to dance practice after receiving my ashes on Ash Wednesday, noticing ashes on Bella’s forehead as well; a physical symbol of our shared faith that bonded us for years to come. Saint Patrick’s day often fell during the Lenten season and the O’Connor School was regularly invited to perform an Irish jig at the local church fish fry on Fridays, as well as the local pubs in the area.
My favorite thing about Bella was that she made you feel like somebody, that you mattered, even if you weren’t the best dancer. She taught me so many important life lessons and values like humility, teamwork, friendship, commitment, grit, endurance, and a wry Irish humor.
I can vividly remember when she would share stories of her time growing up in Ireland, sitting under the bleachers as a child, watching others dance, hoping the next day her family might have enough money to pay for a lesson. She would tell us that she would practice on her own, trying to pick up steps here and there, and that her dream was to one day open an Irish dance school of her own.
And that is precisely what she did — she created a place of belonging, a safe place to struggle and mess up and try again; she created a home. Teaching was her passion and us dancers were her second family.
On Christmas Eve 2020, Bella went to her final resting place after an arduous road of sickness and battling the COVID-19 virus. Grief and gratitude overwhelmed me when I received the news; Bella, after all, was like a second grandmother to me.
And so, as I honor another St. Patrick’s Day in this time of Lent, I am reminded of her loving and joy-filled spirit that remains all around me and I am grateful for the time I had with her, for the memories and lessons that will never dissipate.
Until we meet again for an Irish ceili in heaven, I cheer to a mighty Irish legend who will never be forgotten.
“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
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