Lenore A. Wall (née Gorham), 92

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lenore A. Wall (née Gorham), who died peacefully at home on October 31, 2025, at the age of 92. Lenore led an extraordinary life dedicated to the beauty and discipline of ballet, leaving a legacy that will endure for generations.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, on October 11, 1933, to Robert and Grace Gorham, Lenore’s passion for dance was evident from the age of three, when she began her first ballet classes. Her hometown took immense pride in her achievements, often featuring her in local newspapers as she rose to international acclaim.

Professionally, Lenore’s journey was extraordinary. As a young teenager, she left home to pursue ballet in New York City, joining many distinguished companies and productions: Dayton Theater Dance Group, Hitchins Ballet, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, The Ken Murray Show, CBS Television Studio, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Ballet Maria Olenewa, São Paulo Brazil Television, Ballet Museu de Arte de São Paulo, Ballet Les Amis de La Danse, Ballet de Centro, and Teatro Municipal. She made history as the second-youngest member of the famed Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, performing around the globe.

Lenore later dedicated over three decades to teaching ballet at Nassau Community College, inspiring generations of students with her skill, warmth, and enthusiasm. Her influence stretched far beyond the stage, shaping the lives of dancers and lovers of the art form.

The gifted ballerina spent her early years dancing in Brazil, where she lived with her first husband, Gunter Bielefeld. It was there that her children John and Claudia were born, before the family relocated to Lorain, Ohio, where her daughter Lisa was born. Eventually, the family moved to New York, where Lenore’s ballet career continued to flourish and where she met her second husband, William J. Wall. Lenore and “Bill” were happily married for many years, living in Wantagh until Bill’s passing.

Afterward, Lenore and her devoted companion Saddie the cat moved to Huntington, where the pair shared a cozy apartment filled with the sounds of classical ballet music as Lenore painted at the kitchen table. She enjoyed a vibrant and independent life in Huntington and loved attending the New York City Ballet Gala annually with her friends, daughter Lisa, and granddaughter Morgan.

Lenore’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. A devout Catholic, she held a special adoration for the Blessed Mother, particularly cherishing the apparition of Mary in Medjugorje.

In her later years, Lenore was an active participant in the Town of Huntington Senior Programs at the Centerport Beach House, forming many friendships and staying engaged in her community. She also loved to paint, often creating ballet scenes reminiscent of Degas, blending her lifelong love of dance with artistic expression.

Lenore was predeceased by the love of her life, William Wall, and her beloved brother, Robert Gorham. She is survived by her loving children, John Bielefeld (Bonnie), Claudia Bielefeld, and Lisa Bielefeld McCartan (Joseph); her cherished grandchildren, Mary Bielefeld, Jeffrey Bielefeld, Morgan McCartan, Joseph McCartan, and Andrew McCartan; as well as her stepchildren, William Wall and Deborah Wall, and their families.

She will be dearly missed by her family, caregivers, friends, students, and the wider dance world.

Lenore’s light, both on and off the stage, will forever inspire all who knew her.

Arrangements

Wake: Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at M.A. Connell Funeral Home, 934 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY 11746.

Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, November 6, 2025, at St. Patrick Church, 400 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743.

The funeral Mass will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person: https://www.youtube.com/@saintpatrick4144

Interment: St. Patrick’s Cemetery, 45 Huntington Road, Huntington, NY 11743.