Miriam M. Calzaretto was described by loved ones as a “fireball.”
She lived life to the fullest and brought joy to young and old alike.
A former dance instructor at the Oak Lawn Senior Center who taught into her early 80s, Mrs. Calzaretto was also a composer, artist and piano instructor.
In her 50s, she took up belly-dancing and doubles tennis. And around that same time of her life, the longtime Oak Lawn resident checked off yet another “bucket list” entry by becoming a clown — after just a few classes at the local park district. Thus, she fulfilled a lifelong wish to bring smiles to children’s faces by performing in parades and other civic events.
“She loved kids and wanted to be a part of anything to make their childhoods fun and memorable,” said her daughter, Patricia Walters.
Mrs. Calzaretto, 87, who was also a longtime member of the Oak Lawn Writers Club, died Dec. 21, in her home in Oak Lawn, after a battle with emphysema.
“She went peacefully and without regrets,” Walters said. “She told me she had accomplished more than she had ever hoped to.”
Mrs. Calzaretto’s talent was undeniable — and even award-winning.
In 2002, she received the “Most Talented” award at the 13th annual Ms. Illinois American Classic Woman Pageant, held at the Sheraton Hotel in Oakbrook Terrace, where at age 79 she shared the stage with 10 other women, all age 60 or older.
“She wowed the judges that day with her reading of a short story and a poem that she recited to music,” recalled Walters.
With her oft-spoken philosophy of “Things could be worse!” Mrs. Calzaretto for many years also made the rounds of area nursing homes, entertaining residents by performing line-dancing routines as a volunteer with the “Evergreen Parkettes.”
“The last time we spoke, she said, ‘I don’t have much time left,'” recalled close friend and fellow performer Maureen Kanadet, her voice cracking. “But I couldn’t believe it. I told her, ‘Miriam, you’re the Bionic Woman. You’ll outlive all of us!'”
Born Miriam M. Richarz, Mrs. Calzaretto was raised on Chicago’s North Side, one of three children. She worked odd jobs as a teen to help support her family, while in her spare time teaching herself to paint and play the piano, guitar, organ and accordion.
In her 20s, Mrs. Calzaretto was married for a short time, but that marriage ended in divorce. In 1955, she married the man who would become her husband of 49 years, Carl Calzaretto. He died in 2004.
While raising her family, Mrs. Calzaretto lived in Oak Lawn, where her husband owned and operated a lounge. She gave piano lessons in her home and on occasion helped out at the lounge, accompanying live acts on the piano.
“She even composed a few songs for performers to sing,” Walters said.
In the early 1980s, Mrs. Calzaretto took a course in line dancing and soon after began teaching it at the Oak Lawn Senior Center. It quickly became a sought-after class, Walters said, adding the draw wasn’t the dance, so much as it was her mother.
“People signed up because of mom,” she said. “She kept them dancing. She kept them happy.”
Other survivors include a son, William G. Kerkering; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. on Jan. 22, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13150 S. 88th Ave., Orland Park.
