It was important for me to have this page for my mom and to remember the reason I am the successful dance teacher that I am today. I am sharing a few memories over the years to keep her memory alive. Her spirit will always be at the dance studio looking over all of us.
As a young child I can remember going home after school and having to do my dances only a couple of times for memory purposes. She never corrected my technique at home but wanted my mind to be sharp so when I did take a class the dance steps were already memorized and then I could work on the technique. I attribute my being able to pick up choreography in years to follow to this practice. Later as I got older I would visit my choreographer Sam Fiorello in Buffalo and was able to learn an entire dance in 1 hour.
A memory of a Christmas card she took in our backyard--- she decided to put a dance photo of me on the card--- I can remember standing on a wall in the yard and she would continue to twist my foot until it was in a turned out “tendu” before it was the right photo.
She made sure I took all the master classes at the club and introduced me to the great dance teachers throughout my lifetime.
After attending he Massachusetts Jr. Miss Pageant where I represented East Boston she encouraged me to begin the Greater East Boston and later Suffolk County Jr Miss Program to give those scholarship opportunities and experiences to other senior high school girls. She gave me the leadership skills and confidence to be able to do this at 17 years old. That was my beginning of leading on my own. She always said a good leader can delegate the work so it’s not overwhelming for one person. I continued to run programs like these for the next 30 years awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving young ladies.
Very few people knew I was her daughter—the baby sitter or my dad would take me to the studio. Backstage – her friend Shirley got me ready for my dances the night of the recital when I was younger.
Her famous words—“Keep your Eyes and Ears open and your Mouth Shut”…still exists before we go out into the community and competitions. Kept a lot of problems out of our lives and more people should think about it before speaking something negative.
Told me it was not worth crying over if I didn’t win in competition--- just a learning avenue. Go to the bathroom to cry and not make a scene in public. Something I truly believe in. Not to let anyone know something is bothering you.
A READING FROM ECCLESIASTES 3:1
There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to DANCE.
Eleanora Terenzi Obituary
Eleanora Rubino Terenzi, of North Reading and formerly of East Boston, passed away on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025 peacefully at her home. Born in Boston, she is the beloved daughter of the late Luigi and Jennie (Boccuzzi) Rubino.
Eleanora was a longtime member of the East Boston Community and graduate of East Boston High School. Having a deep passion for dance, she was a proud scholarship student of the American School of Ballet in New York City. Eleanor opened her own studio, the Eleanor Rubino Academy of Performing Arts. Her long and illustrious career as a dance teacher made her a respected educator in dance and some of her students went on to become professional dancers, Rockettes, NBA Dancers and NFL Cheerleaders, Broadway and cruise ships. Eleanora was the 1st dance teacher inducted into the National Dance Teachers Hall of Fame, she was the past president of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston, Lifetime member of Dance Masters of New England Chapter #5, and was an originator of the only National Medal Test program currently still active in the United States and Italy.
Eleanora’s greatest joy came from being with her family. She enjoyed endless games of Scrabble, knitting, crocheting, and going to the Casino with her best friend Shirley. She was also a devoted Catholic. Eleanora was a loving mother and grandmother and will truly be missed by all who knew her.
Devoted Mother of Peter Terenzi and his late former wife Antionette “Toni” Della Cioppa, Paula Terenzi Byrne and her late husband Richard Byrne of North Reading, Phillip Terenzi and his wife Maureen of Hanover and Paul Terenzi and his wife Maureen of Medford. Cherished grandmother of Marc Terenzi, Michelle Terenzi, Matthew Terenzi and his wife Shannon, Molly Terenzi, and Step Grandson Brendan O’Leary, Great Grandmother of Tyler, Summer, Alex, Aidan and Lucas Matthew. Loving sister of the late Peter, Louis, Freddie, Angie, Mary and Ann. Eleanora leaves many loving nieces and nephews, her Grand Dog Koda and dear friend Shirley Penta.
