Anita Pascuzzi

Anita Pienovi Pascuzzi, acclaimed dancing teacher for 30 years to hundreds of Beaverton-area grade school students and teenagers in ballet, tap, and jazz, departed from life on August 19, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. She was 91 years old. Death was due to complications from a fall.

Born during an evening snowstorm on March 2, 1931, to Michael and Theresa Pienovi, Anita was raised in Beaverton where she attended school. She graduated from St. Mary of the Valley High School and was her class valedictorian.

Early on, she showed significant promise in ballet and tap and began years of dance study and performance. Anita spent several summers in dance training in New York City. She was also accepted as a student at the famed Sadler’s Wells Dance Theatre in London, home of the Royal Ballet.

Anita Pienovi was well known for her beauty and treasured for her personality and charm. As Miss Beaverton, she was second in the Miss Oregon Pageant.

A recognized leader in dance education, Anita trained dancing teachers and professional dancers in several stage productions. “Miss Anita” conducted her dance school for over 30 years. She was assisted by her mother known affectionately to many students and parents as “Mrs. P.” She held two-night recitals for parents, filling local high school auditoriums. Costumes were prepared for each class. She will be remembered warmly by many who learned to dance at a high level and who had their first stage performances under her direction.

Afterwards, she operated Dance Togs, a store specializing in dance shoes and costumes for over 40 years in Beaverton.

She is survived by her husband Arthur Pascuzzi; they were married for 64 years. She is also survived by their children Elisa and Mario Pascuzzi, both of Portland. Anita was deeply committed to the care of her family. A life-long Catholic, she lived a truly Christian life.

Anita was predeceased by her parents, both born in Italy. She was a member of the Pienovi and Pascuzzi families of Portland and the Merlo family of Beaverton. Her five first cousins include members of the Biggi and Botteri families of Beaverton and Mariti, Harnett, and Giuffre families of California. She is descended from the noble Balbi family of Genoa, Italy.

She also leaves behind many relatives, colleagues, and close friends on the West Coast and in Italy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Cecilia’s Church in Beaverton, on Thursday, September 8, at 11:00 am. Interment will be private.