A Celebration of the Life of Willa Davidsohn

On July 19th Willa's friends from the Dance Community will gather to celebrate her life with dance.

Saturday, July 19, 2025 11 to 4
Melbourne Village Hall
535 Hammock Rd.
Melbourne Village, FL 32904

The Celebration will be similar to the Flings, but a little different.

Lunch will be at noon.

The building will be open at 11 am so gather between 11 and noon.

Lunch will be a potluck as usual, but think of finger foods and sandwiches that can be eaten without setting up the tables. We'll have chairs set out and coffee.

After lunch we'll have a little ceremony and invite people who knew Willa from the days when she, Bernice, and "the Girls" were the hospitality committee for Melbourne and for the FFDC Winter Workshops when John was President.

Willa was an avid dancer in the Scottish and English groups as well as International. We expect dancers from all three groups, so the afternoon dancing will include International, Scottish, and English as requested.

She was an artist, so we'll have some of her painting out as well.

We have to clear the building by 4:00, so we'll break about 3:30 and start cleaning up.

If you have any questions, please call or email.
John Daly
321-693-2006

Willa Davidsohn, a beloved member of our folk dance community and a cherished friend, passed away last week.

Willa was a founding member of the Brevard Dancers, joining us in 1983 when our group first took shape. For over four decades, she brought grace, energy, and joy to the dance floor—and to our lives. Whether dancing the elegant steps of Tehuantepec or the graceful turns and village-spirit of La Faira da Strada, she was a radiant presence and, for many of us, a favorite partner.

Together with her sister Fannie Salerno and friend Bernice Roth, Willa was part of the trio respectfully and affectionately known as “The Girls”—a force of nature whose enthusiasm and attention to detail made every event they touched something truly special. Their warmth and hospitality set the tone for our gatherings and created a welcoming space for newcomers and old friends alike.

Willa’s passions extended beyond dance. She was also a devoted artist, and her creativity touched every aspect of her life. When it was our turn to run the Florida Folk Dance camp, she and Fannie created much of the artwork.

It is only fitting, then, that we celebrate her memory in the spirit she lived—with dancing, music, art, and community.