HAVERHILL: Pamela Fiala, whose passion was performing and teaching modern dance, passed away on July 18, 2021 at High Pointe House after succumbing to pancreatic cancer.

Pamela Jane Fiala was born on July 9, 1952 in Pekin, IL, the third of five siblings. Her mother, Susan (Beal) Fiala, was a school teacher and musician who performed in madrigal, baroque and choral musical groups. Her father, Rudy Fiala, was an award winning creative director during the "Mad Men" era of advertising in New York City, moving his family to Pound Ridge, NY in 1960. Her lifelong interest in modern dance began as a teenager performing with the Rondo Dance Theatre in Bedford, NY under the direction of founder Elizabeth Rockwell, who took her young troupe on several global tours to the Middle East, Europe and the Caribbean.

Pamela graduated from Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY and attended Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York City. She also attended Hunter College (City University of New York) and New York University.

Following nearly a decade performing and working in Manhattan she moved in the early 1980's to Newburyport where she founded, performed and taught at Dance Horizons studio. She also provided dance instruction at Governor Dummer Academy and the Brooks School.

Pamela is survived by a daughter, Colleen Elizabeth Willey, from her second marriage to John Willey, who preceded her in death. She is also survived by her sister Jennifer F. Trench and brothers Christopher, Timothy and Geoffrey Fiala.

Arrangements under the direction of Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main Street, Haverhill will be private. Donations in Pamela's name may be made to High Pointe House-Home Health Foundation attn. Community Engagement, 360 Merrimack Street, Bldg. 9, Lawrence, MA 01843. On-line condolence may be sent to www.dcsfuneralhome.com